505 



9 th 




A HTSTOEY 



OP THB 



NINTH EEGIMENt' 



ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



BY THE CHAPLAIN, 

MARION MORRISON 



I , 



MONMOUTH, ILLS>: 
JOHN S. CLARK, PRINTER, 



'OS' 



^c \y 



PREFACE 



In this sketch of the military career of the 9th Til. Vol. Lift., my 
object has been, to present the facts connected with its organization, 
and its connection with the various battle-scenes through which it hai 
passed. I have entered upon the compilation of these facts with some 
degree of hesitation. I have thrown it into the present shape, only on 
the earnest solicitation of a number of the officers and men of the llegi- 
ment. Originally nothing more was contemplated than a newspaper 
sketch. It was thought that even the prominent facts in the Regiment's 
history, could not be given in such an article, without making it so long 
that publishers would not wish to insert it in their papers, or the readers 
of such papers be willing to read it. 

It has been the writer's aim, not only to give the fiicts connected with 
the various battles in which the Regiment has been eugr.ged, but to 
narrate many incidents on marches and scouts, both of a general and 
individual character. Often these incidents will throw more light upon 
the real workings of soldier life, than accounts of great battles. 

I ran indebted for most of the facts connected with the marches and 
battles of the Regiment, to the kindness of Adjutant Klock. Most of 
the incidents I have gathered from the officers and men in the Regi- 
ment. Much dependence had to be put in these, since the writer hut 
only been with the Regiment from the first of September, 1863. 

It was felt to be due the Regiment, that a sketch of this kind be pre- 
pared. It has never had a correspondent to herald its deeds of daring- 
in the news of the day. as many other regiments have. Hence, although 
it has performed a great amount of hard and very valuable service, still 
it has but seldom been noticed in the papers. Let justice be don«. 
Nothing more. 

If I can but succeed in putting together the substantial facts in the 
History of this Regiment, so that they can be preserved by the boys, 
in a convenient form for reference, and afford material to aid the future 
historiiin in making up the history of this war, I will have accomplished 

he object I have in view. 



CHAPTEll I. 

Cause of the liehellion — Pleasures taken hy the leaders to deceive the 
masses — James Buchanan — Liacohts journey to Washinf/ton, and 
entering vpon his duties — Call for 75,000 Volunteei's — Organi7Mtion 
o/dth III. — Roster of officers — Six Regiments organized in Illinois — 
Nature of '■'■ Threcmonths' ser vice'"' — Kentucky neutrality — Scouting — 
Incidents — When mustered out — Reorganization. 

Every lover of liis country will rememLer, witli peculiar eniotions, 
the events of the Winter and Spring of 18G1. On the election of Abra- 
ham Lincoln to the position of President of the United States, in the 
autumn of 1860, the Southern portion, of our once peaceful and happy 
country were indignant at the result. They had so long been accus- 
tomed to. have everything their ovrn way, so far as President-making 
was concerned, that they could not endure the thought of being super- 
ceded in their flxvorite work. For years they had elected Presidents 
who were either Southern men, or Northern men whose views agreed 
with their own on the great question at issue with them — Slavery. 
Now that a Northern man was elected to the Presidency, who, it was 
known, would use his constitutional powers to check the spread of that 
ruinous system, they were determined not to suffer it. Loud talkings 
of secession from the Union, spread rapidly throughout the South. 

The leaders in this wicked rebellion did not allow the mass of the 
people to know the exact position which the newly elected President 
had taken, and the policy he would pursue with reference to the slavery 
question. If they had, we would never have heard of the rebellion now 
raging in our laud. Their watchword was, that whenever he would 
enter upon the duties of his office, he would at once take measures to 
have the slaves set free throughout the entire South; that slaves would 
everywhere be stirred up to insurrection. Thus the leaders aroused 
the minds of the masses, and prepared them for the terrible ruin into 
which they were about to plunge them. 

During the Fall after the election of the present President, it was 
my privilege to meet with a citizen of ^Mississippi, who was visiting Illi- 
nois, on m^ittcrs of business. He had spent two or three weeks iu 



6 A HISTORY OF 

Springfield and vicinity, attending to that business. Speaking of the 
state of feeling existing in his State, and contrasting that with the 
feelings manifested in Illinoii^ he said, "I would give half I am worth, 
if the people of the South could only see and know' Avhat I have seen 
and learned since I have been in Illinois." He had had an interview 
with the President elect; had made the acquaintance of many of his 
prominent friends; and had become fully satisfied that he, together 
with the mass of the people South, was entirely mistaken as to the 
position which the incoming r.dministration would occupy on the ques- 
tion of slavery. "Why, sir, if my fellow citizens could only see things 
as I now see them, there would be no difficulty. If they could only be 
convinced that the incoming Administration would not interfere with 
the system of slavery as it exists in the slave States, but were only 
opposed to its further extension, there would be no further difficulty. 
But," says he, "I cannot hope to see that state of feeling now produced. 
If I should go home and tell them what I have seen and what I have 
heard, my life would be in danger. I woilld be denounced as an abo- 
litionist. 3Iy friends dissuaded me from making the journey to this 
State. 'If you go to Illinois you will bo mobbed.' I feared the result 
myself, but my business was urgent. I am agreeably surprised to find 
that here a man can express his opinions on this vexed question, with 
perfect safety." This Southern man expressed himself thus, on the 
eve of this rebellion, with tears in. his eyes. 

But time passed. The leaders in this rebellion were making Hercit- 
lean efforts to be prepared for the crisis. James Buchanan occupied 
the Presidential chair. He was just the instrument they needed in 
that position. His heart was with them. Most of the Cabinet he had 
gathered around him, were notorious traitors, and ready to resort to 
any means to carry out their wicked ends. Hence they robbed the 
government of its treasures, its arms, and its fortifications. During the 
Winter, one State after another passed acts of secession, and he looked 
quietly on, but made no demonstration towards stopping it. Armed 
forces were gathering in the various seceding States. Fort Sumter 
was still in possession of the government. Fortifications were erected 
in Charleston harbor to reduce it. Its few inmates were in a starving 
condition. No supplies were sent them. 

The term of office of James Buchanan expires. The President elect 
enters upon his journey from Springfield, Illinois, to Washington, D. C. 
He leaves his home, feeling fully aware of the great work before him. 
He is satisfied that without Divine aid he will be unable to meet the 
crisis. Hence, on taking his departure, while standing upon the steps 



ti 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. 



of the cars, he asks the friends he was leaving behind, to seek that aid 
cm his behalf. A plot is laid for his assassination, in the City of Bal- 
timore. But that Providence, whose aid he desired, revealed the plot 
and he is enabled to reach Washington, on an extra train and at an 
hour unexpected: At the proper time he is duly initiated into hiH 
office. He looks around and sees the sad condition of the affairs of 
8tate. He firmly grasps the helm, however. Although the ship of 
state is in a leaky condition; although many a plank was torn off; 
•although many were still in it ready to strike other leaks; although but 
little money with which to repair it; still he takes firm hold. Ht 
gathers around him, as counselors and co-workers, those in whom ]»e 
•could place confidence. Every exertion which could possibly be made, 
is made, to set things "to rights" again. 

It is not long until Fort Sumter is fired upon by the enemies of their 
•country. The roar of the cannon, whose balls shattered the walls of 
that Fort, echoed throughout the land and aroused an indignant people 
to arms. In the meantime die President calls for 75,000 volun- 
teers to enter the service for three months. He has been blamed for 
(•.ailing for so few, and for so short- a time. That call, however, doubt- 
less saved the capital of our nation, which was then sorely beleagureof. 
In compliance with this call, the State of Illinois furuished six regi- 
ments for the "'three months' service." That call was made on tlie 
15th day of April, 1861. The county of St. Clair promptly sent six 
companies; the county of Madison three companies, and the county of 
Montgomery one company. They rendezvoused at Springfield, Illinois, 
on the 23d day of April, 1861, and wcj-e organized and mustered into 
the service on the 25th of the same month. It was the third regiment 
•organized in Illinois, and was numbered as the 9th Regt. 111. Vol. In ft. 
The roster of officers of companies, as reported, is as follows: 
Company A. — Aug. Mersy, Captain. 

" '■' — Jacob Kercher, Ist Lieutenant. 

" " — Birt Affleck, 2d Lieutenant. 

Company B. — Bodolphus Beckier, Captain. 

" " Ledergarber, 1st Lieutenant. 

" " — H. Clay Hay, 2d Lieutenant. 

Company C. — I. F. Tiedeman, Captain. 

" '• Conner, 1st Lieutenant. 

" '• — Hamilton Lieber, 2d Lieutenant. 

(Company D. — Alexander Gr. Hawes, Captain. 

•' <' Cox, 1st Lieutenant. 

-<' ^' Romaja, 2d Lieutenant. 



A HISTORY or 



Company E.- 



Company F. 



Company G. 



Catine, 

Scheitlier, 

Scheminger, 

-Van Cleve, 
-Loren Webb, 
-Geo. Ada^sfi, 

Tucker, 

Davis, 

Ash, 



Company H. — Jesse J. Phillips, 
" —John W. Kitchell, 

" " — Wm. F. Armstrong, 
Company I. — Jos. G. Robinson, 

" . " — Thos. J. Newsham, 

" " Gerly, 

Company K. — John H. Kuhn, 

" " Shutterer, 



Captain. 

1st Lieutenants 

2d Lieutenant. 

Captain. 

1st Lieutenants 

2d Lieutenant. 

Captain. 

1st Lieutenant. 

2d Lieutenant. 

Captain. 

1st Lieutenant, 

2d Lieutenant. 

Captain. 

1st Lieutenant. 

2d Lieutenant. 

Captain. 

1st Lieutenant. 

2d Lieutenant. 



" " — Emil Adam, 

An election for field officers was held on the organization of the Regi- 
ment, which resulted in the choice of — 

ELEAZER A. PAINE, Colonel. 

August Mersy, Lt. Colonel. 

Jesse J. Phillips, Major. 



The following were appointed staif officers : 



Dr. Bell, of Springfield, 

Dr. S. M. Hamilton, of Monmouth, 

John W. Kitchell, 

Davis, 



Surgeon. 

Assistant Surgeon. 
Adjutant. 
Quarter Master. 
Chaplain. 



J. J. Ferree, 

No sooner was the Regiment fully organized, than it was called tO" 
duty. The Rebels were evidently making their arrangements to take 
possession of, and occupy Cairo, 111. They saw at once, if they could 
do this, they would be able to cut oft" all communication between the 
Ohio and Mississippi rivers. They would thus occupy a position from 
which they would be able, not only to command these rivers, but to 
make inroads into the State of Illinois. They contemplated making^ 
tlveir battle-grounds on Northern soil. It did not at all enter into their 
original plans, to wage this war upon the sacred soil of the South- 
Their soldiers were promised the privilege of sacking Northern cities, 
aud overrunnjjig Northern States. But promptly the government to.ok 



f 6> Co 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. ^ 

possession of Caii-o, and thus saved Illinois from the invasion of the 
enemy. While the Border Free States of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana 
and Iowa have suffered from Rebel raids, more or less, Illinois has thus 
far escaped. 

To carry out this design of occupying Cairo, ere the enemy got pos- 
session of it, orders were issued on the oOth of April, 18G1, to the 9th 
Regt. 111. Inft., to report at Cairo, 111. It arrived at that point May 
1st, 1861, at 9 A. M. It was the third Regiment on the ground at 
Cairo. 

The first six regiments from Illinois, that were organized under that 
call of the President, were : 

7th Regiment, Colonel Cooke Commanding. 

8th " " " Oglesby " 

9th " " Paine « 

10th « " Prentiss " 

11th " " Wallace " 

12th " " McArthur " 

These regiments ware distributed as follows: The 7th Regiment 
was ordered to Alton, 111.; the 8th, 9th and 10th to Cairo, 111.; the 11th 
to Villa Ridge, 111.; the 12th to Casey's Station, on the 0. & M. R. R. 

At an election which was held for a Brig. General to take the com- 
mand of the above regiments, B. M. Prentiss was elected. His 
''Head Quarters" were at Cairo, 111. 

After the Regiment arrived at Cairo, 111., Lieut. Conner, of Co. C, re- 
signed. Sergt. W. C. KnefFner, of Co. D, was elected as 1st Lieut, of Co- 
C, and commissioned by the Governor. Jacob Kircher was commis- 
sioned as Captain of Co. A, and J. W. Kitchell as Captain of Co. H. 

After the election of J. W. Kitchell as Captain of Co. H, 1st Lieut. 
Thos. J. Newsham was appointed Adjutant of the Regiment. 

The Regiment remained on duty at Cairo during the term of service 
for which they were called .out. 

Many of the soldiers, supposing that they would be furnished with 
clothing by the government, took very little clothing with them, and 
that of the most ordinary kind, thinking that when they should draw 
clothing they could not take care of what they took with them. The 
result was, that many of them had no change of clothing for the three 
months they were in the service. They had no regular uniform. Some 
of the companies were clothed with such a uniform as they had 
selected and supplied for themselves. When the Regiment arrived in 
Cairo, no provision was made for them in the way of tents. War was 
a new thing then, and the Quartermaster and Commissary stores were 



10 A HISTORY OF 

not always ready to be drawn upon at a moment's warning. The sup- 
ply of rations was, at times, very irregular. The men had not been 
accustomed to making themselves comfortable in camp; consequently 
they sometimes found it pretty hard living. After they had been 
there a few days, it was determined to go "into camp on the edge of the 
Mississippi river, between the town and the river. The camping ground 
was covered with very large trees of drift-wood. These must be cleared 
off. No details for fatigue duty were made; but Col. Paine, taking 
hold along with the rest', said "Come, boys, we must red these logs off, 
and clear up this grovmd." And at it they went, and after a time they 
had the logs all cleared away, the stumps burnt out, and a pretty re- 
spectable camping ground prepared. Much hard service was endured 
during these three months. Although no fighting was necessary, yet 
some of the soldiers who were with the llegimeut then, and are with it 
still, speak of those three months as the hardest part of their military 
life. The duty consisted principally in working on the fortifications, 
and guard duty. This was very onerous. 

To make it harder on the boys, they were poorly provided with food 
and clothing. Little or no provision was made for blankets. Many of 
them, if they got their shirts washed, had to take them off and go 
without while it was being done. If they did this, they were immedi- 
ately attacked by a powerful and numerous enemy, in the shape of 
mosquitoes. While the rebels like to attack aud surprise our boys, 
when clothed with new uniforms, this numerous army prefer to make 
the attack when our soldiers are entirely stripped of their coats and 
their shirts. 

During the time the Regiment was in camp at Cairo, Kentucky waa 
pursuing that policy which proved so ruinous to her. She was attempt- 
ing to enforce a strict neutralltt/ with reference to the war. Parties 
were organized. No efforts were made to prevent disloyal men from 
organizing companies, and committing hostilities. The State was soon 
filled with rebels against the government. Several scouting parties 
were sent from Cairo into Kentucky for the purpose of scattering 
those parties and watching their movements. In most of these, the 
9th 111. luft., was represented by detachments. 

In July, an expedition which was under command of Col, J. J. 
Morgan of the 10th 111., and which consisted of twelve companies, and 
one section of artillery, was sent to Indian Creek, Mo., to break up an 
organization of Rebels encamped at that place. The expedition was 
made up of detachments from each of the regiments in camp at Cairo 
at that time. The 9th 111. was represented by Companies C and H- 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. H 

The Rebeb prowled about in Missouri and Kentucky, and thero 
were frequent rumors of attacks to be made upon Cairo. But the three 
months rolled past without any attack. 

There are some incidents that occurred during this period, worthy 
of notice here. One of them occurred with our present highly esteemed 
Surgeon, Dr. Guilick. He was then a private in the Regiment. One 
day he was stationed to guard a powder magazine. It was an impor- 
tant post. The Dr. had served in the army in Germany. He knew 
a picket should never leave his post until relieved from duty. The rule 
for picket, is two hours on duty and four off, during the twenty-four. 
The first two hours passed away, no relief came. Two hours more 
passed. He supposed that surely at that change he would be relieved. 
Still no relief came. Another two hours passed. Still no relief. Re- 
lief-hour after relief-hour passed. But no relief for the Dr. He 
began to feel the need of his dinner, but no relief came, and he stuck 
to his powder. That article was an important item in warfare, and he 
was determined to guard it. Night- was drawing near; still no relief. 
Its quiet hours passed by, and still no relief came. The morning 
dawned, and there it beheld the Dr. tramping faithfully his beat, won- 
dering, I suppose, if there was no rdicf. The twenty-four hours rolled 
round, and the Dr. was there still, having had nothing to eat and nothing' 
to drink. Another thing which caused the time to pass heavily with him, 
like almost all Germans, in fact almost all soldiers, he was very fond of his 
pipe. But there was the powder he was guarding, and it was not safe 
to have fire near it. At the end of the twenty-four hours he waa 
relieved. Our worthy Dr. has been with the Regiment ever since. Ho 
is still faithful to his post. He still carries out his tenacity in sticking 
to his post until relieved. There is only one thing, so far as I know, 
that will cause the Dr. to abandon his proper post. When the Regi- 
ment is eng-aged in battle, unless there is immediate need for him in 
the rear to care for the wounded, he will leave his post, as a non-com- 
batant, and seeking some position in the advance, he is seen deliberately 
firing away at the enemy with his revolver. If there is a man wounded 
lie hastens to the rear to attend to him. That done, and he is oflF 
again to his firing-post. 

Another incident. I think it occurred during the three months' 
service. At any rate it was during some scout. The camp was in an 
old cornfield, on a hill-side. The only place the boys could well lay 
was in the hollows between the corn rows. Col. Phillips (then Major) 
made his bed between two corn rows. He laid one gum blanket un- 
derneath him, and another over him. As it was beginning to rain, he 



12 A HISTORY OF 

covered his face with his gum blanket, gathering it carefully under his 
head. During the night it rained heavily; but the Major slept on. 
When he awoke in the morning and attempted to uncover his head, 
the first attempt to remove the blanket failed. By a more determined 
effort he succeeded. But oh, horrible! The water had run down the 
furrow, sweeping the mud before it. It had been piled up against his 
head, the blanket keeping him dry. But instantly on raising the 
blanket, rush came mud and water over his face and head ! If he had 
only had sense enough to commence uncovering at the other end, he 
might have crept out snug and dry, although the water had been 
pouring down on both sides of him. The Col. has since manifested 
much skill in fighting a retreat with his regiment. But it seems he 
had not yet learned the art of retreating, for he seemed determined in 
Bpite of all opposition, to go it, head foremost. But he conc{uered, and 
had the consolation of knowing that his severest wounds were in the 
face; and although naturally very careful of his good-looking face, I 
doubt not he would rather be wounded there than in the back. Save 
a brave man always from being wounded in the back. 

Still another incident. Eats had become very abundant in town 
and around the camps. In fact, rats, fleas and mosquitoes were the 
principal enemies with which our boys had then to contend. The side 
walks in town were made of plank. Under these was a beautiful place 
for the rats to run and play. Sergeant Williford (now Captain) was 
Sergeant of the guard in the town one night. That he might have 
something to do, by which he could while away the dull hours of the 
night, he armed himself with an old cavalry sabre and took his position 
at a point where there was a break in the side-walk, there to watch the 
movements of the enemy. They had to pass through this opening, and 
as one after another made his appearance, each met a death blow from 
the Sergeant's sabre. He has now no knowledge of the multitude of 
the slain, as he ceased to count the dead. I know not but that the 
grand strategy by which he here deceived the enemy and the multi- 
tudes slain on that night, were the beginning of his rise which has 
resulted in his present commanding position. 

The Regiment was mustered out of the service on the 25th day of 
July, 1861. Because of the aspect of affairs in Missouri, but a small 
number of troops could be sent to Cairo, 111., to take the place of the 
six regiments from Illinois, whose term of service was about to expire. 
Consequently an application was made by Gen. Prentiss to the Com- 
mander-in-chief, for permission to re-organize those six regiments in the 
field. This permission was granted; the re-organization of the several 



THE NINTH REQIMKNT. jg 

regiments was perfected, aud tlie regiments recruited. The application 
made to the authurities for this permission was telegraphed, and granted 
in a dispatch from General Scott. 

CHAPTER II. 

FROM THE RE-ORGANIZATION TO TIME OF LEAVING PADUCAH, 

Re-organizntion — Rosfir of njficcrs — Drill at Cairo — Chamjc to Pa- 
durah — Promotions and assirjinonents to duty — Attack on Saratoga — 
Prconn.oi><aiire toicards (Johnnlnis hy Is? Brigade — Commissions — ■ 
Reconnoisaacc toy-ards Fort Henri/ — Regiment paid — Incidents. 

As will be seen from the prsecding chapter, the 9th 111. Inft. was 
mustered out of the service on the 25£li of July, 1861, and an order 
dispatched from Gen. Scott granting permission to re-organize it. It 
was consequently organized for the three years' service, at Cairo, 111.., 
and mustei'ed into the service for three years, unless sooner discharged, 
on the 28th day of July, 1801. The Regiment reported for duty on 
the same day to Brig. General B. M. Prentiss, commanding the force* 
at Cairo, 111. 

The field, staff, aud line officers were "mustered in" as follows: 

Colonel— E. A. Paine, July 26th, 1861. 

Lieut. Col.— Aug. Mersy, " " " 

Major.— Jesse J. Phillips, " " ' " 

Surgeon.— S. M. Hamilton, " " " 

Assistant Surgeon. — Emil Guelick, " " " 

Adjutant.— Thos. J. Newsham, " " " 

Begt. Quartermaster. — Wm. G. Pinckard, Aug. 26th, 1861. 

Chaplain. — James J. Ferree, July 26th, " 

Co. A.— Captain, John H. Kuhn, " " " 

" —1st Lieutenant, Emil Adam, " " " 

'• —2d Lieutenant, E. J. Weyrich, " " " 

Co. B.— Captain, Wm. C. Kneffner, •' •' " 

" — 1st Lieutenant, Hamilton Lieber, " " " 

" —2d Lieutenant, Fred. Vogler, " " " 

Co. C— Captain, D. F. Tiedeman, " " " 

" — 1st Lieutenant, Oscar Kollmann, " '" '* 

" —2d Lieutenant, Chas. Schevir, ' ' " " " 

Co. D.— Captain, Rodolph Beckier, " " " 

" — 1st Lieutenant, Edward Krebbs, Aug. 10th, " 

" —2d Lieutenant, Wm. Bohlen, " " " 



14 A HISTORY OF 

Co. E.— Captain, Alex. G. Hawes, July 26th, 1861. 

" — 1st Lieutenant, Wm. D. Craig, Aug. 6th, " 

" —2d Lieutenant, R. B. Patterson, July 26th, " 

Co. F.— Captain, Loren Webb, " " 

" —1st Lieutenant, Wm. Britt, " " '• 
'' —2d Lieutenant, Geo. W. Williford, •' '' 

Co. G.— Captain, Edgar M.^owe, " " " 

" — 1st Lieutenant, Jolin S. Sutten^ " " " 

" — 2d Lieutenant, Isaac Clements, " " " 

Co. H. — Captain. Wm. F. Armstrong, " " " " 

" — 1st Lieutenant, Cy. H. Gilhuore, " " " 

" —2d Lieutenant, Alfred Cowgill, " " " " 

Co. I.— Captain, Jas. G. Robinson, " " '• 

" — 1st Lieutenant, Wm. JHirviance, July 31st, " 

" _2d Lieutenant. S. T. Hughes, " '• " ■ 

Co. K.— Captain, Geo. B. Poor, July 2Gth, " 

" — 1st Lieutenant, John L. A. lleeves, " '' " 

" —2d Lieutenant, Jas. C. McClery, ' " " . " 

After the re-organization of the Regiment, it remained at Cairo, 111., 
until September 5th, 1801. During this time they were principally 
engaged in doing guard duty and drilling. The great matter was to 
have men well drilled. War was a new occupation to most of them. 
They were men who had been spending their lives quietly at home on 
their farms, behind their counters, in their offices, and among tTieir 
tools in the work-shop. The peaceful walks of life were those they 
were accustomed to tread. When their country was threatened by 
those who would destroy it, at the call of that country, the}'^ left thoss 
peaceful walks and rushed to its defence. It was new work, and they 
must be trained for it. Much patient drill must be passed through. 
The officers themselves, many of them, must learn what a military life 
is, and how to do its work. The men must, day after day, endui9 
the patient drill. Thc.y must learn the picket's duty, and how to per- 
form it. They must learn that while on picket each picket is, for the 
time being, commander-in-chief of his post. When he cries "Halt," 
his order is law. No Captain; no Colonel; no General, dare disobey 
it, unless he has his pass or can give the "countersign." A Corporal 
in Co. E, once narrated to me his first experience in picket duty. He 
was handling his gun rather awkwardly. The officer of the guard 
came along and reproved him for his awkwardness. "Let me have 
your gun, sir, until I show you how to hold it." Anxious to learn 
every part of a soldier's duty, in all the simplicity of his heart, he 



(.f 



THK NINTIT REOIMEJJT. 15 

handed his gun over to the officer. "Now, sir, what arc you going to- 
do for your gun ? Suppose I was the enemy, what kind of a fix would 
you be in ?" He at once saw the embarrassment of his position. " Did 
you ever stand picket before ?" '^ No, sir." '' On that account you are- 
excusable; but on no other. Never give up your gun again; no officer, 
no General has any right to it." It was a wholesome lesson. He 
profited by it. From that time forward, no man ever got his gun wheu. 
on picket. 

On the 5th day of September, 18G1, the Regiment left Cairo, 111., 
embarked on a steamer and mored up the Ohio lliver to Paducah, Ky. 
Here it occupied the advance position on 'the Columbus road. 

Col. E. A. Paine vv^as promoted to be Brigadier General. September 
od, and Lieut. Col. August Mersy being absent, Major Jesse J. Phillips- 
assumed command of the Regiment. 

On the 8th day of September, 1861, Brig. Gen. C. F. Smith relieved 
Brig. Gen. Paine of the command at Padizcah, and Lieut. Col. Mersy 
returned and relieved Major Phillips of the command of the Regiment. 

Adjutant Newsham was detached as Acting Assistant Adjutant Gen- 
eral, and Quartermaster Pinekard as Acting Assistant Quartermaster. 

About the 20th of September, Brig. Gen. Paine was assigned to tlie 
command of the 1st Brigade. This Brigade consisted of the following 
regiments: 9th 111. Inft., 12th 111. Inft., 40th 111. Lift.. 41st 111. Inft., 
IBuel's Battery, and Thielmann's Independent Cavalry Battalion. Lieut. 
Adam, of Co. A, 9th Regt., was detached as Act. Assist. Adj. Gen. of 
the 1st Brigade. 

On the 3d day of October, 1861, Adjutant Nusham was promoted to 
be Captain and Assistant Adjutant General, and assigned to duty on 
Gen. Smith's staff. 

By this time the boys were getting anxious for a fight. Ta use a 
common expression, they were '' spoiling for a fight." They felt that 
now they were ready to fight with and conquer the whole South. On 
October 15th, 1861, a portion of the Regiment h:id an opportunity to 
try their pluck. Major Phillips, with^Compauies B, H, and I, filled to 
their maximum by. details from other companies, wath Lieut. Patterson 
as aid to commanding officer, moved up the Cumberland River above 
Eddyville, where they disembarked. It was ascertained that a detach- 
ment of 300 rebel cavalry were in camp at Saratoga. Major Phillijo 
moved upon them, surprised and completely routed them; killing from 
10 to 15, wounding from 25 to 30, and capturing 20. Major Phillii.a' 
detachment had Capt. Kneffner slightly wounded, and Corporal Grebiig 
of Co. B, and private Gatewood of Co, K. severely wounded. It re- 



16 A HIS'f^RY OP 

turned to camp on tte 16th of October, bringing in the prisoners and 
a large amount of captured property. 

First Lieutenant John L. A." Keeves, of Co. K, resigned, and his 
resignation was accepted October 2d, 1861. 

On the 6th day of November, 1861, the 1st Brigade, Brig. General 
Paine commanding, moved on the Columbus road to Mayfield Creek, 
and bivouacked for the night. The next day they moved forward to 
Milburu, Ky., ol miles from l^aducah, and 11 miles from Columbus, 
bivouacked there for the night, and commenced the return march by 
daylight on the 8th. Reached camp at Paducah by 2 P. M., of the 
9th. This was about the first heavy marching the boys had undergone. 
It was very fatiguing. There was a disposition to straggle. To prevent 
it, in the 9th, a rear guard was appointed, which compelled all to keep 
their places. This, some of the boys who were very tired, no doubt 
thought to be cruel. But the result was, the 9th Regiment came into 
camp in Paducah in splendid order, while the 40th and 41st 111. Regi- 
ments seemed to have lost their organization altogether on the return 
march, and came straggling into camp in small squads, during the entire 
days of the 9th and 10th. Gen. Smith issued an order highly com- 
mending the 9th for their orderly conduct, and condemning those 
Regiments which returned in such disorder. This pleased our boys so 
much, that they almost forgot their heavy marching, and there was no 
more complaining about rigid discipline. 

On the 9th of September, 1861, Capt. John H. Kuhn was appointed 
Provost Marshal of Paducah, and his Co. (A) was detached to act as 
Provost Guard. 

December 2nd, 1861, commissions arrived as follows: For Lieut, 
dol. Aug. Mersy to be Colone ; Major Jesse J. Phillips to be Lieuten- 
ant Colonel^ Capt. John H. Kuhn to be Major; 1st Lieut. Emil Adam 
to be Captain, and 2d Lieut. E. J. Weyrich to be 1st Lieutenant of 
Co, A. On the 5th of December, Sergeant Scheel, of Co. F, received 
a commission as 2d Lieutenant of Co. A, but was assigned to duty in 

Co. D, 2d Lieut. Bohlen of that Co. having been transferred to Co. A-. 

• . . . . 

Capt. Geo. B. Poor, of Co. K, resigned, and his resignation was ac- 
cepted on the lOtil of December. First Lieutenant E. J. Weyrich, of 
Co. A, resigned on the 25th of December. 

Oapt. Armstrong, of Co. H, was appointed Provost Marshal, to re- 
lieve Major Kuhn, and his Co. (H) relieved Co. A, aS;Provost Guard^ 
on the 6th of December, 1861. 

On the 15th of January, 1862, the entire force at Paducah, except 
the 40th III., moved towards Viola, 13 miles, and bivouacked for thu 



^'^ 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. 17 

toighfat Hickory Creek. Brig. Geu. C. F. Smith commanded the Di- 
vision in person. Col. McArthur, of the 12th 111. Inft., was in com- 
mand of the 1st Brigade, and Brig. Gen. Lew. Wallace, of the 2d 
Brigade. The Division was about 5,000 strong. On the 15th, moved 
to Mayfield Creek, 28 miles from Paducah. On the 17th, the command 
marched 23 miles to Clark's Iliver, and bivouacked for the night on its 
banks. On the 18th and 19th, owing to rain and mud, the command 
moved a very short distance. It reached Calloway Landing, on the 
Tennessee Iliver, 20 miles below Fort Henry, on the 22d of January. 
Finding no enemy in that vicinity, and none nearer than Fort Henry, 
the command returned to camp at Paducah, Ky., arriving there Jan- 
uary 25th, 1862, It had marched altogether, during the reconnoisance, 
125 miles. The most that was accomplished, was accustoming the men 
to hard marches. ^ 

Second Lieutenant Wm. Bohlen, resigned, and his resignation was 
•accepted on the 31st day of January, 1862. On the same day a com- 
mission arrived for private Henry H. Klock, of Co. F, to be 1st Lieu- 
tenant and Adjutant, to rank from October 3d, 1861, the date of Ad- 
jutant Newsham's promotion. 

Major I. N. Cook, paid the Regiment up to January 1st, 1862. It 
had been previously paid by Major C. P. E. Johnston, to September 
1st, 1861. 

During the time the Begiment was in camp at Paducah, some inci- 
dents of interest occurred. All were longing for an adventure of some 
kind. The routine of camp life was becoming wearisome. One day 
Major Phillips, of the 9th 111. Inft, and Major McDonald, of the 8th 
Mo. Inft., rode outside the pickets. After they had rode out two or 
three miles, Major McDonald remembered that he had an old acquaint- 
ance living ten or twelve miles out that road. It was proposed and 
agreed upon, that they would ride out and see him. Before reachmg 
there, they passed where the enemy had their picket fires the night 
before. Things looked suspicious. A rebel soldier was seen riding up 
to a neighboring house. They proposed to go and take him. But 
their friend with whom they stopped, insisted on their not doing it, 
saying that if any fuss occurred there, they would burn his house at 
©nee, as they were threatening him anyhow, because of his Union sen- 
timents. Dinner was ready in a short time, and they must stay for 
dinner. Major Phillips, always disposed to watch rebs. closely, proposed 
to stand picket while the rest were eating. He then hurriedly drank a 
cup of coffee, and they mounted their horses and started for camp. In 
a short time they saw two cavalry men riding before them. Taking 
[2] 



m A HISTORY OF 

them to Be rebels, they gave them chase. Major Phillips, moun'ted oas 
a splendid horse, soon came close on them. Suddenly they checked up^ 
wheeled around, and drew their sabres. Before our Major could check 
his horse, he was close upon them. With pistol drawn, he inquired 
what command they belonged to. The reply was, " Thielman's Cavalry." 
The Major mistook it for Tilman's (Rebel) Cavalry. He inquired the 
second time. The same reply came, and he labored under the sam» 
mistake. By this time Major McDonald came foirly up, and they de^ 
manded the surrender of the two men, and they surrendered. At this 
point, they saw a short distance from them, about 25 men coming towards 
them. They felt that they were in a close place. Says Slajor McDonald 
to Phillips, " What shall we do with these two men? shoot them?" 
*'No; we will take tliem with us, and if they dow't keep up, then we- 
will shocfj; them," was the reply. Says Major Phillips, "I would give? 
a horse to be in Paducah." "Paducah!" says one of the prisoners; 
"we belong there, too. We are Willson's Dragoons." The mistake- 
arose from the fact that the Eebels had a band of cavalry, known as 
Tilman's Cavalry, while the Federals had a battalion, of cavalry, knowQ 
as Thielman's Cavalry. The prisoiiiers being Germans, the one was 
mistaken for the other. This matter explained, their prisoners were 
released, and they returned to camp. Having reached camp, Major 
Phillips reported to Gen. Smith, when the following interview took place. 
I give the substance: 

"General." " Well, Major." "Genex'al, having permission to go 
outside of the pickets to-day, I gained some valuable information, which 
I thought the good of the service required that I should report to you." 
" How many men had you. Major ?" " General,"(afraid to confess there 
were but two,) "Major McDonald was in command of the expedition." 
" How many men had Major McDonald?" "I was with him." "But, 
sir, how many men did you have?" Finding the truth must come, he 
replied, "The Major commanded me, and I commanded him." "Well, 
sir, you both deserve to be punished, and if you had shot those two men, 
I should have had you both cashiered. But as it is, I will let it pass. 
What is the valuable information you have gained?" "I learn, at a 
certain point, a Rebel company is to be organized on to-morrow." 
"Well, sir, as you are fond of adventure, you will take a detachment 
of forty men, and proceed to that point and disperse or capture them." 
But as the next day was very rainy, the expedition was abandoned. 

Another incident. Major Phillips and Captain Kuhn rode outside 
the pickets late in the evening. After getting outside the pickets, they 
saw some fresh, wagon-tracks. Captain Kuhn, who was then acting 



7/ 

THE NINTH REGIMENT. \% 

f rovost Marslial, said that there were two wagons, loaded, that went out, 
of which he was suspicious, but that with his instructions he could not 
examine them. They concluded to follow them. They had "-one but 
s short distance until the road forked, and there were fresh tracks on 
each road. The Major took one road, and the Captain took the other. 
The Major soon came in sight of them, and pushing on, came up with 
them. On inquiring what they were loaded with, he was told that they 
were some groceries for a store in the country. Things looking sub- 
picious, he procured an ax and broke open some of the boxes, and 
found that it was a regular lot of military stores. By this time Captaia 
Kuhn came up, and after a little consultation, they concluded to let 
(tliem go on, and told them that all was right, they could go on. They 
returned immediately to town. They had gone out about five miles. 
On their return, the Major again presented himself to Genei'al Smith. 
"General." "Well, Major." "General, Captain Kuhn and myself 
rode outside of the pickets, this evening. After getting out a short 
distance, we saw wagon-traccks, which were suspicious. We followed 
them a few miles and came up with them, and I am satisfied they are 
loaded with goods to supply a rebel camp. We did not bringthem in, 
from the fact that the Captain's instructions, as Provost Marshal, would 
not justify him in doing it." "Another of your fool-hardy dashes, 
Major." "Yes, General; but I thought the good of the service demand- 
ed it." "Well, sir, how many men will you have to bring those wagons 
in to-night?" "Five men, General." "Adjutant, make a detail for 
five men, to report here immediately for duty." The men came, and 
the Major started on his expedition. ' He overtook the wagons, which 
had been driving on all night, and brought them back to Paducah, and 
turned theiji over to the Quartermaster. 

Still another incident. Citizens were frequently coming into town. 
There was not much difficulty in getting in, but they could not go out 
again Avithout a pass. One young fellow from Kentucky, having, as he 
supposed, some of the nohlc Mood in him, said he would not apply for 
ft pass. He said the " niggers" had to have passes, and he was not going 
to put himself on an equality with " niggers." So he refused to apply 
for a pass. After staying in town a few days, he made an attempt or 
two to run the pickets, and as a consequence, was put in the guard- 
house. After staying in town a month or two, the young nobleman 
was compelled to put himself on an equality with the " niggers," and 
apply for a pass. 

Still another. When out on a scout, at a time when every houee 
would be guarded as the troops were passing, and not a chicken or gooie 



20 A HISTORY OP 

inust be toixclied, the Quartermaster went int-o a house to purchase some 
chickens for his mess. The woman refused to sell any. "Well," says 
he, "we must have something to eat. If you wont sell your chickens, 
we will steal your geese." " If I sell you some chickens, sir, will you 
swear that you won't steal my geese?" He promised he would. Two 
or three chickens were caught for him, and then the old lady got upon 
a chair and reached down an old Bible for him to swear on, that he 
would not steal her geese. I guess he swore for her, but not very 
reverendly. 

One more incident. Perhaps on the same scout as the above, it was 
suspected that Company K had stolen a goose. Col. Mersy got wind of 
it. He addresses Lieut. Col. Phillips as follows: "Col. Phillips, I 
tink Co. K steal one coose. You take de charge de right wing, while 
I goes to see." The Col. rode oiF to Co. K, but could find no goose. 
He returned to the command, thinking, I suppose, that Co. K was "all 
right on the goose." 

That day is now passed in the army. As our army now marches 
along, the boys weary and suffering for water, there is not a guard sta- 
tioned at every well to prevent their quenching their thirst. When 
they are hungry, if chickens and geese are convenient, they are not 
interfered with if they try to catch them. Often have I seen our boys 
coming in from a scout, many of them having a chicken or a goose 
swinging at each side of their saddle. 



CHAPTER III. 

FROM PADUCAH TO PITTSBURG LANDING. . 

Preparatio7is fvr opening the Cumberland, Tennessee and Mississtppi 
Rivers'^Fort Henry tahen — Fort Donelson taken — Pa7-t taken by 
dth Ills., number killed andioounded- — List of killed and icounded — • 
Trip to Nashville and back — Incidents. 

At the opening of the year 1862, it was becoming evident that to 
«rush the "hideous monster" rebellion, would require a great effort on 
tue part of the government. While our armies were being raised and 
disciplined, the rebels were planting themselves firmly at many points 
in the South-west, as well as the East. Columbus, Island Ko. 10, 
Memphis, Vicksburg, Port Hudson, and other points on the Mississippi 
River, were being strongly fortified. Fort Henry and Fort Donelson 
were fortified, and commanded the entrance of the Cumberland and 
Tennessee Rivers. General Fremont had urged the early occupation 



7t- 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. 21 

01 tliese points, before the enemy should fortify them. But for some 
reason, (I suppose a good one on the part of the government,) the eneuiy 
were allowed to make these points strong-holds. Magnificent prepara- 
tions were making, however, to take possession of those rivers, by the 
government, as great national thoroughfares. (Juiibuats, floating bat- 
teries &c., were being built with that view. These were brought to 
bear, early in 18G2, ou the work of opening the Cumberland and Ten-* 
nessee Rivers, and dislodging the enemy of their strong-holds on these 
rivers. A heavy land force must of course co-operate with the fleet. In 
this work, the 9th III. Inft. was destined to act a conspicuous part. 
The material for the greater portion of its history is found in the part 
it has taken in subduing the rebellion in Tennessee, Mississippi and 
Alabama. At Cairo and at Paducah its work of discipline had been 
carried on until it was well prepared for meeting the enemy on the field. 
It left Paducah, a large and well-drilled Regiment. 

On the evening of February 4th, 1862, Companies A, B, C, D and E, 
under command of Col. Mersy, struck tents at Paducah, and embarked 
on board the steamer "Wilson," with camp and garrison equipage. 
This wing of the Regiment moved up the Tennessee River the same 
night, and reported to Brig. Gen. John A. IMcClernand at Brown's 
Landing. The remainder of the Regiment, (except Co. H, Provost 
Guard.) under command of Lieut. Col. Phillips, came up on the steamer 
" B," on the evening of the 5th February. The two wings of the Regi- 
ment formed a junction on the left bank of the Tennessee River, five 
miles below Fort Henry, on the night of the 5th. They moved up the 
river towards Fort Heiman, on the 6th, reaching and occupying the 
Fort the same night. Brig. Gen. Smith's Division had left Paducah, 
and passed up the river to this point. They did not reach here in time 
to participate in the engagement. Fort Henry was reduced by the 
gunboats alone, none of the infantry taking part in the engagement. 

When Fort Henry surrendered, the enemy quartered at Fort Heiman 
evacuated the place, leaving behind them all their camp and garrison 
equipage. 

Brig. Gen. Smith's Division ^yas ordered to move across the river and 
garrison Fort Henry, on the 7th. But the heavy rains had swollen the 
Tennessee JRiver to such an extent that it was impossible to reach the 
boats, in order to cross. Hence, a Division already on that side of the 
river was assigned to that duty. 

It was the high stage of water, and the consequent difficulty of land- 
ing, that prevented the land forces from co-operating with the gunboats 
in 'tlae Jitteck against Fort Henry. Had they been permitted \o co- 



32 A HISTORY OF 

operate as designed, they would have been able to cut off the retreat 
of the enemy, and capture the whole force. This would have prevented 
the reinforcement at Fort Donelson, and made the engagement there 
less sanguinary. But perhaps the victory would not have been any 
more complete than" it was. 

The enemy that had evacuated Forts Henry and Heiman fell back 
Jnd strengthened Fort Donelson. The next thing in the programme, 
was to reduce Fort Donelson. The gunboats consequently were to 
descend the Tennessee Eiver and ascend the Cumberland, while the 
laud forces would march across the country, only twelve miles, and 
attack in the rear. In accordance with this plan, Gen. Smith's Division^ 
still camped on the opposite side of the river, on the 12th of February, 
1862, crossed the river with two days' rations, and no transportation, 
and moved towards Fort Donelson and bivouacked for the night about 
four miles from that place. At 11 o'clock at night, moved forward 
again, two and a half miles further, and bivouacked. At 11, A. M., 
of the 13th, moved forward to support McAllister's Battery, remaining 
here until 2, P. M. At this hour, McArthur's entire Brigade, (the 
one to which the 9th 111. belonged,) were ordered to the left of McCler- 
nand's Division, to prevent a flank movement of the enemy on his left. 
The Brigade remained here until night, when it moved one-half mile 
further to the right. Company A, Capt. Adam commanding, was de- 
tached at this place, to support a battery, and Lieut. R. B. Patterson, 
of Co. E, Avas ordered with Co. A.. 

On the evening of the 13th, from having been warm and pleasant 
when they left camp, the weather changed and became extremely cold. 
Rain, sleet and snow fell alternately during the night. No fires were 
allowed. Hence, they suffered much from cold. 

At midnight, a heavy volley of musketry was fired in front of Col. 
McArthur's Brigade. We were immediately ordered into line, and moved 
three-quarters of a mile further to the right, occupying a position in 
Gren. McCleruand's Division and reporting to him. 

The Brigade was moved again on the 14th, to the extreme right of 
our line, reaching that point after dark. The 41st 111. occupied the 
extreme I'ight, and the 9th 111. next. At daylight of the 15th, the 
enemy made a furious attack on this part of Gen. McClernand's line. 
The 9th and 41st 111. Regiments moved forward one hundred yards, 
to a high ridge, from which they held the rebel columns in check. 
The 9th moved forward to the ridge in echelon, the 41st in line of 
battle. At the second onslaught of the enemy, the 41st broke and fell 
back, and the 12th 111. promptly occupied their place. The 9th Eegl- 



TinE -NTNTH REGlAfENT. 23 

wentlieW its position for two and a half hours, when all its supporte 
on the right and left giviug way, and its ammunition being exhausted, 
it fell back, slowly aod in good order. Tlve enemy did not press our 
front, but moved rapidly ou our right flank. So rapid was their 
■movement in this direction, that twioe we were compelled to halt and 
make demonstrations to prevent their charging us. About 11 o'clock, 
A. M., the Regiment passed through the second line of battle, received 
n new supply of ammunition, and moved to the k'ft and rejoined Oen. 
Smith's Division, to which they propej'ly belonged. 

On the morniKg of the IGth, the 9th Regiment was ordered forward 
to complete the work so gallantly begun by tlie 2d Iowa Inft. ou the 
previous day. That Regiment had charged the .rebel breastworks, 
and in part takes possession of them. To m;ikc another cliarge, and 
completely drive them oat, was the work assigned to tlie 9th for this 
day. But before the final order to charge was given, the enemy sur- 
xendered unconditionaUi/ . The 9t'h 111. Inft and tlie 2d Iowa Inft 
were granted the Iionor of first marching into the outer works of the 
■enemy. On entering the works, the 9th 111. took charge of the follow- 
ing rebel regiments: The 14th Mississippi^ '32d, 14t'li and 18th Tenn- 
'essee, and 2d Kentucky, in all about 2,000 men. 

The 9th 111. went into the fight, oa the 15t'li, with about. 600 men 
reported for duty. Its loss during tli-e action was, 35 killed on the field, 
160 wounded, and 6 taken prisoners. Most of those taken prisoners 
were wounded and unable to fall back with the Regiment. Companies 
A and H vrere not engaged in the fight. Company H had been left as 
Provost Guard at Paduc-ali, and Company A, as mentioned above, had 
"been detached on the night of the 13ch to suppoa-t a battery, and had 
not rejoined the Regiment at the time it was engaged- 

Among the wounded, were tlie following oificers-: Capt. Robinson 
of Co. I, and Capt. Beckier of "Co. D, both slightly; 1st Lieuts. Lieber 
of Co. B, Britt of Co. F, and Sutton of Co. G. These were all severely 
-wounded. Lieut. Lieber lost his left arm, and Lieut. Sutton was 
■disabled for life. 

The following is a list of the killed and wounded in the various 
■companies : 

Company A. — Supporting a battery, lost noiae. 

CoiMPANY B.— Killed, Corp. Lugenbiiehler, Corp. Dettweilcr, Ben- 
"kers, Jacob Eierkuss, Henry Gonnermann. Henry Hurick, Christian 
Koch, Albert Newmann, Leech, In all 9 killed. Wuun(U-fl.—Yh^t 
Lieut. Hamilton Lieber, Privates Adolph Aldo, Peter Bauer, John 
.Serger, Charles Diiekner, Albert Donnci-, Michael Path, Joseph Gantner* 



24 A HISTORY OF 

Paul Greist, Sergfc. Louis Grieser, Privates Jul. Hoffmann, Jolm Kries 
ger, Charles Lobe, Frederick Menne, Louis Messerschmitt, Hermann 
Moser.j Josep Oberfell, Simon Pohn, Corp. John Schab, "William Schlott, 
8ergt. John Schmidt, Henry Schneider, Anton Schwarzkopf, Frederick 
Lensel, Henry Weber, Daniel Werner, Christian Wickermann, Joseph 
Cropp. In all 28 wounded. 

Company C. — Kilted , Lorence Bersig and Heinrich Hillmann. — 2. 
Wounded^ Henry Arndt, George Fichter, John Graus, Christopher. 
Klein, John Pietz, Adam Reesh, John Riedel, Adam Lammons, Henry 
Schmidt, William Vogt, Peter Weis, William Miller, and Corp. Charles 
King. In all 13 wounded. 

Company D. — Company D had 20 men wounded, including the 
Captain. The most of them were slight wounds, which did not disable 
the men. Three only were dangerously wounded. 

Company E. — Killed, Privates Cassius C. Atchinson and Jas. Dycr.-2. 
Wounded, Corps. John A. Gilmore and Frank M.^ Tillotson, Privates 
John Beatty, John A. J. Bragg, Russell W. Cool, Wm. Evans, Michael. 
Fai-ley, John Fletcher, Dennis C. Frothingham, Jas. B. Gihnore, Simon 
Hagar, Joseph B. Jones, Wm. T. Kelley, John Kembexiiu, F. M. Moore^ 
Francis J. Murphy, Geo. Snyder, John Till, Wm. G. Triplett, David 
M. Dui-ham, Geo. M. Gilmore. In all 21 wounded. 

Company F. — Killed, Privates David N. Ashton and Constaat 
Roland.— 2 killed. Wounded, 1st Lieut. Wm. Britt, Sergts. Thos. C. 
Kidd and Andrew J. WebsteV, Corp. Andrew J. White, Privates Geo. 
M. Campbell, E. Carrey, John W. Dye, Wm. M. Ellis, James Gettj, 
James Hicks, Nathan Lyneh, Geo. Mclrish, Eli J. Singleton, Richa 
Lumpkins, Thos. J. Wallace, Frank AVagner, John Rank, Joseph L. 
Garrett, Harlow Bassett. In all 19 wounded. This is not a complete 
list. There were 23 wounded. The records of the company have 
been destroyed. 

Company G. — Killed, Benjamin Jacob, Emsley Walker, James 
Willhelm. In all 3 killed- Wounded, 1st Lieut. John S. Sutton, N. 
(t. Brown, Wm. B. Dubois, Thos. J. Pleasant, Jas. Canton, Jas. E. 
Mason, Jacob Willhelm, John J. White, John A. Stotlan, William J. 
Higlai, C. C. Akin, Jos. H. Watley, John Collin, Jas. M. Brown, and 
Wm. R. Gore. In all 15 wounded. 

Company II. — Absent at Paducah as Provost Guard. 

Company I. — Killed, James N. Johnson, Augustus Cluge, G. W, 
Kinder, Charles Loymer, David Lain, Alonzo Livingston, Hugh IMcMa- 
hen, Jolm MeKinney, Charles McDermot, Gea. M. More, Joseph. F. 



7^ 

THE NINTH REGIMKNT. 2o 

Stevenson, David Williams. In all 12 killed. 117^»»rAf(', Capt. Jtisopli 
Gr. Robinson, 2d Lieut. S. T. Hughs, Sergts. Geo. Woodbury and W. 
Jarvis, Corps. R. 11. Swain, John G. Irwin and F. A. Couruion, Privates 
Wm. Baird, John Baird, D. G. Breyfogle, Jas. G. Ballard, Zachariah 
Burgess, Aaron C. Bordon, Jos. Crews, G. W. Clark, Charles Dayton, 
Emanuel Davis, John Ellett, Henry Fitzsinimons, Theodore Fisher, II. 
Fuller, John Graham, James Ilawratty, William Helms, David John- 
son, David Kyle, Geo. Lent, Geo. Lawsnn, Saiu'l jMorehcad, James 
Mitchel, Chas. S. Patton, Samuel Head, John R. Yanhooser, William 
Willson. In all o-t wounded. 

Company 'K.—KlJUd, Corp. Walter Walsh, Privates Reuben M. 
Anderson, And. J. Burton, Charles Casebeer, John Emery, Johna. 
Hazlewood, David. Newcomb, Jas. Patterson. In all 8 killed. ^Y(mnd- 
ed^ Sergts. A. J. Snider and John Barbour, Corps. Chas. N. Brown, 
Geo. Lincoln and Samuel W. Sloan, Privates Jas. Broadie, Jos. N. 
Condon, Simon P. Casey, Wm. A. Daily, Frank F. Cogles, John Gib- 
son, Albert W. Kimball, Aaron Lipe, John Mallory, Albert Mitchell, 
John Seivers, Wm. Thompson and H. C. Ulen. In all 18 wounded. 

The desperate struggle in which our Regiment was engaged, and the 
persistence with which the boys fought, may be seen from the list of 
killed and wounded as presented above. Only about 600 went into the 
fight. Of these, 195 were killed and wounded; just about every third 
man. 

The boys had, it will be remembered, when they left Fort Ileiman on 
the morning of the 12th of February, only two days' rations. They 
received nothing more until the evening of the 15th, after they had 
been engaged in the severe battle of that forenoon. Thus their two 
days' rations had to last them four days. Many of the officers, who 
had entrusted their haversacks to their servants, became separated from 
those servants, and were almost without anything to eat for the last 
forty-eight hours. There was no chance for foragijig there. Often 
now, our Regiment will go out on a scout with three days' rations, and 
live very well on it for six or eight days.' Such was the battle of Fort 
Douelson, and the part the 9th took in it. 

The Regiment remained at Fort Donelson until the 22d of February, 
whenthe Brigade proceeded up the Cumberland River to Fort Sevier^ 
near Clarksville, where they disembarked and went into camp on the 25th. 

Major Kuhn, formerly Provost IMarshal of Paducah, and Co. II of 
the 9th Regiment, his Provost Guard, reported to the Regiment for 
duty on the 23d. The Regiment remained in camp here until the 27th, 
when it embarked on board the steamer '• Woodford," and proceeded up 



26 A HISTORY OF 

the river to Nashville, Tenn., arriving there on the morning of the 
28th. Here it remained until March 1st, when it returned to -camp at 
Fort kSevier. 

When our forces advanced up the Cumberland Eiver to Clarksville 
and Nashville, they found no enemy to oppose them. After the rebels 
surrendered Fort Donelson, they seemed to be seized with terror. The 
rebel Governor and Legislature fled from Nashville in terror, taking 
with them whatever they could of State property. The wi-iter, being 
then in Illinois, well remembers the public rejoicing there was over the 
result of this victory. There seemed to be a feeling prevailing in the 
North that the "backbone" of the Eebellion was broken, and that we 
would soon have peace. But two years have passed away, (I write this 
sketch on the 16th of February, the anniversary of Fort Donelson's 
surrender,) and, although we have several times since that been cheered 
with the promise that the "backbone" of the Rebellion was broken, 
still it lives. It is said a snake's tail does not die until sunset, even 
though its back may be broken and its head mashed. Perhaps, as the 
rebs. had, at first, a snake for their emblem, this may be the reason it 
it is so long dying. Maybe it is only the tail of it that now remains 
alive. When, however, sunset will come, and its tail cease to live, is 
difficult to determine. May it be soon. 

Some incidents occurred during this period, worthy of note. During 
the time the Eegiment was engaged in battle at Fort Donelson, James 
Getty, of Co. F, aged about GO years, was observed by Lieut. Williford 
of his Co., to decline laying down to load. He stood, loaded his gun* 
and fired as deliberately as if he had been shooting at a target for a 
wager. The Lieut, told him he had better lay down to load, or he would 
get shot. His reply Wiis, " I reckon I know my business," and again 
raised his gun and deliberately lowered it upon his selected rebel. 
Soon the Lieut, saw him tumble over, and supposing he was killed, 
went to him. But he jumped up, and said he guessed he was not much 
hurt. He was shot in the shoulder, but he gathered up his musket 
and went to firing again. It was not long until another ball struck 
his pocket-book. He had some silver in it. The ball struck a silver 
half dollar, and mashed it up, driving it against his thigh, bruising it 
very much. Two pr three buckshot were lodged in him. Still he 
stood firing away at the enemy. I might also say in this connection, 
that this same man, at the battle of Shiloh, when the Regiment ran out 
of ampiunition and had to fall back for a new supply, fell in with some 
other Regiment; procured a supply of ammunition from some one, and 
went to fighting again. When that Regiment in turn fell back, he 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. 27 

happened in with some other one, and there fouf^ht. In this way h9 
spent tte whole of that terrible Sabbath day. When he ceased fight- 
ing with any company, he was careful to go to the commander of it, 
and get a certificate, stating that he had been fighting with it. When 
he returned to his company in the evening, he had certificates from 
several Captains and one Colonel. He preserved these certificates, so 
that he might show, when he returned to his Regiment, that he had not 
been stragffliiuj, but Jhjhtlng. He went into the fight on the next 
day, and was shot in the head. From this wound he recovered, but 
was afterwards discharged on account of it. 

Another incident. Surgeon Gulick (then Assistant Surgeon) was 
taken prisoner by the "Texan Rangers," while attending to his 
duties in the hospital. He insisted, that being Surgeon, he should not 
be retained as a prisoner; that there were a large fKimber of wounded 
men under his charge, and no one to care for them but himself. Tho 
rebels persisted, however, in taking him. They told him that they had 
some wounded men, and he must come and attend to them. One 
of them was leading his horse along, taking him back to where their 
wounded were. He was in the rear of a rebel Regiment. The man 
who led his horse was shot. The Doctor does not say hi/ whom ho was 
shot. He put spurs to his horse to make his escape. He had to ride 
through a rebel Regiment. A perfect shower of musket balls followed 
him. To increase his danger, our own soldiers supposing him to belong 
to a party of rebels making a charge, fired upon him from the front. 
He was riding Surgeon Hamilton's horse. Strapped to his saddle was 
a buffalo robe. He had often joked with Dr. Hamilton about having 
that tied on there as a protection when he would be making his escape 
from the enemy. Five balls passed into this robe, and were lodged 
among its folds. The Doctor made his escape; but thinks he would 
never attempt to make another such. 

Still another incident, with which the Doctor was connected. After 
the battle at Fort Donelson, he was placed on board a steamer with 275 
wounded men, and shoved out into the river, without any medicine, 
without anything for the men to eat, with no instruments but carpenter 
tools, and in that condition remained for three days. If he attempted 
to take off a limb, he had to use a common cook's knife for a dissecting 
knife, and a carpenter's saw to sever the bone. He had no bandages 
with which to wrap up the wounds, except he take the only shirt they 
had. This truly was a trying position in which to place a good surgeon. 
Still another. The present color-bearer received a shot in the arm- 
The ball was lodged there. The Doctor cut the ball out, but he would 



28 A HISTORY OF 

not wait to have a bandage put on it, but snatched his musket and 
rushed to the fio-ht again. 

One more incident. At the battle of Fort Donelson a soldier of Co. 
K found in the knapsack of a Southern soldier, who had been killed in 
battle, the picture of a beautiful young lady. He carefully preserved 
it. At the battle of Shiloh, this soldier was killed. On examining his 
knapsack, to make the proper inventory of his g'oods, the Orderly of 
his company found this picture. He remembered the circumstance of 
its being found. He carefully preserved it. It was a great favorite 
with the boys in the company, and received the ntime of " The Daughter 
of Co. K." When the Regiment was on the march from Corinth to 
Athens, in November, 18G3, it passed through the town of Pulaski, 
Tenn. As Lieut. Oats, of Co. K, was riding along the streets of Pulaski) 
he saw a young lady standing at the door of one of the residences of the 
town, whom he at once recognized as the original of the picture in pos- 
session of Co. K. Speaking of the matter to others in the company, 
they all agreed that this was the original. The Lieutenant learned 
afterwards, to a certainty, that it was the same. The picture still 
remained in his possession, until near the last of January, 18G4. At 
the time Gen. Roddy's forces made a dash upon our camp, when the 
Regiment was nearly all out, the officers, as well as men, lost everything 
that was in their tents. Among other things, the picture of " The 
Daughter of Co. K," was taken. Its loss is much regretted by the boys. 



CHAPTERIV. 

from: battle of SIIILOII to battle at CORINTH. 

Trtj) up the Tennessee River — Remain on boat — Battle of Shiloh — 
Losses in this battle — Losses in 9th Regt. III. Lift. — List of killed 
and wounded — Advance upon Corinth — Pursuit — Officers commis- 
sioned — Garrison Rienzi. 

Having ascended the Cumberland River, and ascertained that the 
enemy had evacuated all the prominent points on it. Gen. Grant now 
marshals his farces for a trip up the Tennessee River, hoping from it 
to reach Corinth, where the enemy were strongly forfiiying themselves 
and collecting in great number. 

The 9th 111. Inft. was destined to take part in this expedition. 
Hence, it struck tents at Fort Sevier on the Gth March, 1862, and 
embarked, with camp and garrison equipage, on board the steamers 
"Lady Bike" and "Commercial." It moved down the Cumberland 



"C 

THE NINTH REGIMENT. 29 

Hiver on the morning of the 7th. and passed Fort Donelson on the 8th, 
l-eaching Paducah the same evcnuig. It moved up the Tennessee on 
10th March, and joined (len. Grant's flotilla six miles above Fort Henry. 

The trip up the Tennessee River, with this great army, is described 
by the boys, as grand beyond all description. There were, I believe, 
ninety-five steamboats loaded with soldiers. The weather was beautiful 
and pleasant. Band-s of music were playing. Everything that was 
calculated to charm was there. Doubtless very many of this great 
multitude did not realize that in a short time so many of them must 
fall in the deadly conflict. The terrors to come were forgotten in the 
joys and grandeur of the hour. 

This fleet, containing a grand army, reached Savannah, Tenn., on 
the 12th of March, 1862. Here the boats remained tied up until the 
18th of March, when we moved up to Pittsburg Landing, disembarked 
and went into camp, one-quarter of a mile from the river, on the 19th. 
On the 2od, our camp was moved one-half mile further back from the 
river. At this point the 81st Ohio, and the loth and 14th Missouri 
Infantry, were attached to the Brigade. The two latter were after- 
wards exchanged for the 22d Ohio and 66th Illinois Infantry. 

On the 1st of April Col. Mersy was ordered to the command of the 
Brigade, in the place of Col. Mc Arthur, who had been placed under 
arrest. 

On the morning of the 6th, at daylight, the enemy made a furious 
attack on Gen. Prentiss' Division. The enemy moved forward in echelon 
by Divisions, point foremost, the evident intention being to break, by a 
furious attack, the centre of our line. But in this they did not succeed. 
Gen. Prentiss was compelled, however, tp flill back a short distance to 
his supports. Here he gallantly maintained his position for a long time. 

But my object in this sketch, is not to give an account of this terrible 
battle, but of the part the 9th Illinois took in it. 

Our Division was held in reserve, and consequently did not reach the 
field of action until after noon. Col. McArthur had been released from 
arrest, and resumed command of his Brigade. Brig. Gen. W. H. L. 
Wallace relieved Major General Smith of the command of our Division, 
the latter being too unwell to do duty on the field. We were moved to 
the left of Prentiss' Division. On the way the Eegimei)t met with 
hundreds of stragglers hastening in confusion to the sheltering cover of 
the river bank for protection. About fifty of these Were pressed into 
our Regiment. Nearly all of them were killed or wounded during the 
day. 

The Regiment held its place in the line for two hours, against a vastly 



no A HISTORY OF 

Buperior force of the enemy. The 41st 111. Inft. was on our right, and 
the 12th 111. Inft. on our left. The latter Regiment fell back thre« 
hundred yards, after being exposed to the fire of the enemy for over an 
tour. Thus our left flank was exposed to a flank movement of the 
enemy. Of this they soon took advantage, and poured a murderous 
6xe down the ravine which we occupied. After holding this position 
until a new line was formed, three hundred yards in the rear, tho 
Keglment fell back hastily behind it. It was not long, however, until 
this line was broken by the terrible assault of the overwhelming forces 
of the enemy. A new line, of immense strength, was finally formed 
one-half mile from the landing. All the available artillery was gathered 
to this point; the victorious advance of the enemy v^as checked, and 
their masses for the first time during the day recoiled before the mur- 
derous discharges of grape and canister from one hu)idred iron throats. 

Gen. Prentiss' Division not falling back soon enough to this new line? 
were completely surrounded, and compelled to surrender to the enemy. 
The Division numbered about o,000 men. 

After the repulse of the enemy at this point, no further attack waa 
made, and night soon closed the conflict of the day. During the night 
the gunboats kept up a constant firing of 64-pound shells among th« 
enemy, and finally compelled them to fixll back six hundred yards. 
This gave our forces a fine chance to operate in the morning. During 
the night also, some 20,000 fresh troops from Buell's army were ferried 
across the river. Maj. Gen. Wallace's Division, from (^rumpt's Landing, 
came up on the left flank of the enemy. So that on the morning of the 
7th we had 20,000 fresh troops on the front of the enemy, our gunboats 
on their right, and Gen. Wallace's Division of 6,000 fresh troops on 
their left flank. The contest was not long. The enemy soon gave way. 
Then began a retreat which finally, at 3, P. M., became a perfect rout, 
as they fled in wild dismay toward their works at Corinth. The mise?- 
able condition of the roads prevented pursuit for more than half of th« 
distance. Hcace, we succeeded in capturing only 1,000 prisoners. 

The entire Union loss in this engagement was, 1,700 killed, 9,000 
wounded, and 3,800 taken prisoners. The rebel loss was a1:)out 2,300 
killed, 12,000 wounded, and 1,000 taken prisoners. Total Union loss, 
14,500. Total rebel loss, 15,800. 

Here, in this one battle, were 4,000 American citizens left dead upon 
the battle-field, and 21,000 more wounded. By whom was this terrible 
destruction of life? Had some savage fOe invaded our once happj 
and peaceful land? Ah, no! It was the hand of brother againtrt 
brother; fellow-citizen against fellow-citizen 1 It arose on the one hand, 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. SI 

from a determinatien to rivet tighter and tighter the cliains of luDiiart 
bondage, even at the cost of the overthrow of that government under 
which our country has been so highly prospered; and on the other hand, 
from a determination that so good a goveriiment should not be over- 
thrown to support any such unhallowed causft Oh, the sadness of human 
Strife, and especially when it arises from a, family quarrel! 

The loss of the 9th 111. Inft. in this battle, was 61 killed on tlicfieldr 
and 287 wounded. Among the killed, was Lieut F. Vogler, of Co. B- 
Among the wounded, were Col. Mersy, Lieut. Col. Phillips, Adjutant 
Klock, Assistant Surgeon Gulick, Captains Adam, Knelfncr, Bockier, 
Hawes, Webb, Armstrong and llobinson, and Lieutenants Rollmann, 
Scheel, Williford, Clements, Purviance, McCleery, (mortally,) Jxiwe and 
Krebs. Lieut. Krebs was severely wounded and taken prisoner. 

The following is a list of the killed and wounded in the various con*- 
panics, during this battle: 

Company A. — Killed^ Sergt. Peter Schoppert, Corp. Joseph Brown, 
Privates George Andrea, Henry Glink, Ambrose Lamber and William 
Herrman. In ajl, 6 killed. Wounded, Capt. Emil Adam, Lient. Oscar 
Rolmann, Sergt. Andrew Bastian, Corps. Anton Hund, Anton Schwert- 
uer and Henry Burmcister, Privates Friedrieh Bremenkamp, Henry 
Brenner, John Baner, Erasmus Fries, Nickolaus Frank, Anton Gaiv 
locher, (afterward died.) Ferdinand Hoas, Wm. Holl, Michael Hort- 
weck, James Loehr, Charles Miller, Henry Mueller, August Meyer, 
Jacob Nickolaus, George Schaefer, Jacob Wehrli, Martin Weis, Jacob 
Duttenhoefer, Adam Schalter, Benidiekt Stranbinger, William Stahl, 
George W^inter, Christian Kose, Nickolaus Vonburg, Friedrieh Koch, 
Theodore Bachlg, Henry Tahncke-, Chas. Ribke, Michael Braun and 
Andreas Sehueliman. In all, 30 wounded. 

Company B.— Killed, Lieut. F. E. Voglcr, Sergt. John Schmidt, 
Privates Edward Dettmar, Albert Kineoke, Conrad Maul, John i\Iesh, 
Frank Scheffer and Heniy Weber. In all, 8 killed. Wounded, Sergt. 
John Mallmann, Privates Lorenz Ackermann, Joseph Ammon, Mathi:w 
Arnold, Jacob Bauer, Morand Barrmann, George Betz, Gustar Blank, 
Joss. Cropp, Albert Bonner, Frederick Entz, Amald Gerig, Charles Grin, 
Conrad Hellmuth, .Gerhard Janssen, Valentin Kadel, August Lopold, 
Louis Linne, Paul Martin, Ignaz Menne, Sabastian Pfister, John Raffel, 
Peter lleppel, George Salz, Henry Schmidt, Jacob Spiess, Philipp Spiess, 
Corp. Hermann Suemnicht, Jacob Sulzer, Daniel Werner, Christ. 
Wickermann, Ferdinand Wisshack, Corp. Augustus Wurmb. In all, 
33 wounded. 

Company C— Killed, Wm. Klingenberg, John Lamprccht, Georg« 



32 A HISTORY OF 

Lehr, Michael Lelir, Friedricli Lippert, G-eo. Lutlier, Henry Riditer, 
Sergt. Clias. Hahle, Christian Schenk, Wm. Slorcli and AuguHt 
Wichard. In all, 11 killed. Wounded, First Lieut. Oscar Rollmann, 

A. Arramus, Anton Becker, Henry Behm, Andrew Benci, Philipp Erbe, 
Chas. Friedrich, Wm. Gaebe, Jacob Haberkorn, John A. Helferich, 
Frank Helferich, Jacob Herpin, Christian Keith, Christian Macdel, 
Frank Moser, Andrew Nadber, Jacob Randall, Antoo Saebert, Charles 
Schenk, Fred. Scheve, Henry Schemph, Peter Schneider, Nicklaus 
Schouelber, John Spaule, John Salzmann, Freiderich Slaab, Henry 
Vishsel. In all, 27 wounded. 

Company D. — Killed, Jacob Becker, Charles Ge'esel, Heni-y Geesel, 
Adam Loebig, Christian Kahn, Adam Keitz, Jacob Kieps, Philip Laner, 
Albert Scheleberg, Schelz Tert; Wm. Vogelpohl and Henry Vohs. 
In all, 12 killed. Wounded, Capt. Beckier, Lieuts. Krebs and Scheal, 
John Baehr, Herman Bange, Isiter Bayett, Joseph Beck, Rudolph 
Bekier, Wm. Beeverson, Jos. Ersenhauer, Anion GarllhoefFner, Fred. 
Havermann, Conrath Heidmann, Chas. Huber, Edward Krebs, William 
Lieser, Chas. Miller, George Metzker, C. Moeninger, C. Roth Rofiy 
Fried. Scheel, Os. Stocker, Bernhard Vogel, and Tweibert Henry. In 
all, 34 wounded. 

Company E. — Killed, Sergt. Silas Bunker, Privates John Anson, 
Frank M. Moore, Wm. D. Nevius, James McKenzie, John C. Cadie. 
In all, 6 killed. Wounded, Corps. Jas. G. Carnahan, Joseph R. Cox, 
and Philip Anderson, Privates Jas. M. Blake, Matthew Bromley, Geo. 
H. Campbell, Chas. Dryden, Michael Furlong, Daniel Hubbard, John 
W. Hay, Jos. B. Jones, Jas. Mahone, Geo. Meyer, Francis J. Murphy^ 
Jesse Mack, John N. Shoemaker, Thos. Stalkal, Neal Vestal, Sergt* 
Lewis C. Bornman, Musician Samuel Williams, Wagoner Wm. Minor, 
Wm. Mock. In all, 22 wounded. 

Company F. — Killed, Sergt. And. J. Webster, Corps. Joshua Gear 
and Frank Pothast, Privates Demean McCuUoch, John Chantick, 
Toliver Foster, Thos. Cox, Joseph Koontz, Geo. McLeish, Charles Hills, 
John W. Snofpr, Private of the 71st Ohio, name not known. In all, 
13 killed. Wounded, Capt. Webb, Lieut. Geo. Williford, Sergts. Jos. 
C Gales and R. N. Heinberger, Corp. And. J. White, Privates John 

B. Choencwith, Jas. Rodgers, James Duncan, N. B. Winters, John 
McCarter, John Stutfouth, John H. Lauchly, James Getty, Jos. L. 
Miller, James Hobbs, Wm. T. Miller, John H. Collins, M. N. Fisher, 
Harlow Bassett, Jas. M. Hickman, And. Grudin, Henry Gruudin, R. 
Pimpkins, Geo. W. Warren, John M. Ticknor, Marcus Burns. In all, 
26 wounded. 



7% 



THE NINTH REGlM«ElSfT. S8 

OoMl»XNY G. — Killed, David Jones, A^phcus BascM^tfi, Jas. Walker^ 
Thos. J. Ouly and Wm. H. Bascom. In all, 5 killed. Woundtd^ 
Lieut. Clemens, N. d.. Poraine, John B» llussell, E. B, lllioads, AVm. 
'Hampton, John J. Wliite, (afterwards died,) John W. B*-own, Wm. L. 
^rown, N. (t. Brown, Henry Brown, John J. Zippy, John J. Stripling, 
Wm. B. Bradley, W*h. Addison, Lewis R. Applcgatc Robert Marshall, 
Daniel Byan, Thos. -Stotlar, A. B. Suttin, W. S. White, John McCord^ 
Lewis Wise, Jan., AiJen Edwards, S. P. Hartsell, Charles W. Miller, 
Bennet Strotlar. In all, 26 wounded. 

Company ll.—Killcd, Sergt. Francis D. Hubbel, Will. B. Haller^ 
Daniel C. White, Thos. Wright. In all, 4 killed. Wounded, Captain 
W. F. Armstrong, Sergts, Daniel Pentzer and Jacob Miller, Privates 
Nickolaus Keller, Alonzo F. McEwen, Pa«l Roberts, Jas. W. Osborn, 
•Sidney B. Phillips, John Arny, Wm. Boldeman, Dennis BahiSh, Chas. 
Biernbrier, Wm. S. Cheeney, Wm. A. Cottingham, Ira G. Dart, John 
Droesch, Thos. Fry, Will. H. Ilsley, Wm. Keep, Johai B. Livicgood^ 
John F. Moore, Pati'ick Mogneham, Layfliyette Mason, Jas. S. McGuiK 
lion, Edward Nail, George Ralph, Francis M. Stickel, Almon D. Sim- 
toons, Jos. E. Ta«lber, Moses H. Turner, Patrick Whalen, Erasmus 
Gaw, Jas. A. Clotpelter, George H. Dry, John Salzmann, and Daniel 
0. Carriker. In all, 36 wounded. 

Company I. — Killed, Nathan Abbot, John Bass, Reegon Edward, 
John N. Larance and Frederick Swartz. In all, 5 killed. Wounded, 
Captain Jos. G. Robinson, 1st Lieutenant Wm. H. Purviance, Sergt. 
W. W. Jarvis, Corp. G. W. Stice, Privates John Baird, Norman Barber, 
Isaiah Bery, G. W. Clark, Thomas Cs, Gillham, Wm. Helms, Thomaa 
Hauskins, John Jaka, S. B. Jarvis, Chas. C. Lewis, Albert Mills, Geo. 
•McKinley, Chas. A. Redman, John Wilson and Henry Wormyer. lu 
all, 19 wounded. 

Company K. — Killed, George Sloan, Wm. Foster, Jas. L. Kfiddler^ 
Thos. Walton. In all, 4 killed. Wounded, John Richmond, Samuel 
W. Sloan, Geo. W. Burton, Sen., Geo. W. Burton, Jun., John Burke, 
€has, W. Boles, Henderson Cogdall, John L. Creed, John Clifford^ 
Wm. A. Carding, Frank F. Cogles, John Horn, Thos. J. Hagler, Laro 
May, Sam'I L. Miller, Robert E. Ramsey, Jonathan Stene, and Chas. 
L. Tomlinson. In all, 18 wounded. 

The terrible conflict which was endured by the 9th 111. Inf't., in this 
battle, will be seen from the number of killed and wounded. There was 
present for duty when the Regiment went into the engagement, 570 
men. Of these 348 were killed and wounded, and ten were captured. 
One coxumissioned officer was killed, and 19 wounded. Only four 

m 



34 A HISTORY or 

eoni missioned officers were left unhurt. I liearcl one of tlie sol'dier* 
wlio was present at the time, say, that when they ceased fighting on-. 
Sabbath eyening, there were 70 men, in Hne for duty, out of the whole- 
Regiment. It is said that Col. Mersy, when the Regiment was first- 
drawn up in line after the battle was over, shed tears, saying, "Vel, 
rel; dis is all dat is left of my little NintI" It must have been a sad 
sight to see a Regiment, which numbered over 1,000 men when at 
Paducah a few moath-s previous, cut down to this small number. But 
such is war. 

Such was the batlrle of Shiloh, a'sd such the part taken in it by the 
9th 111. Inft. The writer well remember.9 the feeling which prevailed 
hi the North with reference to it. There was rejoicing over it as a- 
victory. Still it was regarded as a dearly bought victory. There w&a 
a very''*^3ecided feeling that som-ebody was at fault. That the rebels 
had completely surprised our army. That our pickets were out but a 
very short distance. Hence, the surprise. Grcn. Grant, as chief iu 
command, was faulted. It was charged that he was drank at the time. 
That he had disobeyed orders, and landed his men- on the wrong side 
of the river, etc. I heard a citizen of Chicago, not a month ago, say 
that if Gen. Grani had made his appearance in Chicago immediately 
after the battle of Shiloh, he would have been mobbed, such was thd 
feeling of indigna-tion. 

It is not my province here to write a defense of Gen. Grant, Nor is it 
needed. His own brilliant career since that, has set him right in th& 
minds of the people. A man who has captui*ed more prisoners and 
more guns than thi world-renowned warrior. Napoleon Bonaparte, cer- 
tainly docs not need, at this day, a written defense of his military career. 
Suffice it to say, the officers and men who fought under him, even at 
Shiloh, become restless if a word is said against him. 

Immediately after this battl«, Gen. Halleek, who had charge of the 
South-Western Department of the army, with his "Head Quarters" at 
St. Louis, left that place for the field of strife and took command of 
the army in person. Expectation was high in the North. It was 
thought that now surely the rebels will be" pushed to- the wall.'' Never 
aince the war broke out, has there been such intense anxiety in the 
North-west, as that which filled the public mind du-ring the time which 
intervened between the battle of Shiloh and the evacuation of Corinth. 
Many hearts were sad over friends who fell at Shiloh. Every 
days' news was anxiously awaited, expecting it to bring an account of 
another terrible- conflict. The suspense was long and painful. Wheii: 
the news finally came that Corinth was oui5», l^-ut that the enemy had 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. 35 

♦>v:icitatecl it, there wiis a feeling of sadness ran through the public 
mind. They were not prepared for that. They were prepared to hear 
of many slain in the effort to take Corinth, but not to hear that the 
enemy had fled and was out of reach. 

The 9th Til. Tuft, remained in camp on the battle-ground of Shiloh, 
exposed to all the sickening influences of the nearness of so many dead 
animals, as well as. offensive odor arising from the shallow and imperfect 
burial, which necessarily had to be given to so great a multitude 
of dead. In conversation with a citizen from Illinois, who visited the 
battle-ground a week or ten days after the battle, I learned from him 
that the offensive smell of the dead was almost insufferable. That, 
together with the diet upon which the soldiers had to live, produced 
disease to an alarming extent. Here the Regiment remained in camp 
until the 29th of April, over three weeks. On that day it removed, 
with camp and garrison equipage, towards Corinth ten miles, and 
bivouacked. It moved forward again on the 30th, five miles further, 
and went into camp. Here the Regiment had muster and inspection 
by Col. Mersy commanding. 

. Here Brig. Clen. R, J. Oglesby took command of our Brigade, in 
place of Col. McArthur who was severely wounded in the late battle, 
Brig. Gen. T. A. Davies took command of our Division, in place of 
Gen. W. H. L. Wallace who was mortally wounded. 

On the fii'st of May, moved camp five miles further towards Corinth, 
and reuiained there until the 4th of May. On that day removed to 
Monterey, Miss., and went in'":) camp a little West of that town, and 
remained there until the 8th of 'day, when another forward movement 
was made, to within seven miles of Corinth, finding no enemy. 

The country here is very poor and broken, and water very scarce and 
unfit for use. A great many of the men were sick with the Diarrhea 
and Typhoid Fever. The Regiment remained here until the 14th of 
May, when it moved two miles further in the direction of Corinth. 

The Division moved forward again on the 10th, about one mile, and 
formed a Hne, with Brig. Gen. Hurlbut's Division on our right. Ob 
the 17th, moved forward again one mile, and one-half mile on the 19th. 
This brought our line within two and a-half miles of Corinth, and within 
range of 32-pounder rifled guns. None were fired, however, and the 
plain inference was, that the enemy had none. On the 21st of May, 
our line advanced 400 yards, and again on the 29th 400 yards more. 
The pressure now became so heavy, that the enemy evacuated Corinth, 
and moved Southward toward Okoloua. 

Thus it will be seen, our army was just one month moving from 



86 A HISTORY OP 

Pittsburg Landing to Corinth, a distance of about thirty miles. Just 
one mile per day. And this after having remained 22 days in camp, 
before kafing the battle-ground. This, too, in pursuit of a fleeing 
enemy. It will be difficult ever to convince the country that this great 
delay was necessary. And yet many military men, who were present, 
regard it as a master-piece of Generalship. The Country through which 
this vast army must pass, was entirely uncultivated. No army could 
have subsisted in it, even for a few dayS; Had our army advanced 
rapidly, they were exposed to a flank movement which would have 
thrown the enemy between them and the river, and cut off, as a natural 
consequence, our supplies. That done, and our whole army would have 
been at the mercy of the enemy. There was certainly great caution. 
But it was thought it was all needed. 

When an advance was made, after halting, in an incredibly short 
time, breast-works were thrown up to prepare for an attack. It is 
amusing, eVen now, to hear the boys laughing at their expertness with 
the spade. They all turned out to be pretty good Irishmen, so far as 
the use of the spade is concerned. 

Immediately upon the evacuation of Corinth, Gen. Davies' Division, 
to which the 9th 111. Inft. belonged, was ordered, with Gen. Pope's 
army, in pursuit of the fleeing enemy. The rapidity with which that 
pursuit was prosecuted, will be seen from the following record of our 
daily marches. Is it to be wondered at that they were not overtaken? 
On the first day we moved out five miles, and bivouacked for the night 
near Farmington. Moved forward again on the 81st, three miles, and 
went into canrp on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Here we remained 
in camp until the 5th of June. 

The following events occurred While in camp here: On the 1st of 
June tha Regiment was paid for the months of January, February, 
March and April, 1862. 

On the 2d of Jtine commissions arrived as follows : First Lieut. 
James C. McClery, to be Captain Co. K; 2d Lieut. G. G. Low, to be 
1st Lieut. Co. K; and Sergt. James Oats, to be 2d Lieut. Co. K. 
Sergeant Mallmann, to be 2d Lieut. Co. B; and Sergt. Gottlab, to be 
2d Lieut. Co. A. 

On the 5th of June We again mov6d forward, eight miles, and went 
into camp. On the 6th, moved forward and went into camp near 
Boonville, Miss. Here we remained until the 12th of June. General 
Davies, commander of the Division , being absent on sick-leave, General 
Oglesby was in command of the Division; Coh Mersy of the Brigade, 
and Major Kuhn of the Regiments 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. Sf 

On the 12tl\ of June, the Regiment moved on its return towards 
Corinth, fifteen miles, and went into camp. On the 13th, moved again 
and occupied its old camping ground two and a-half miles south of 
Corinth. 

On the 17th of June, Col. Wright, of tlje 22d Ohio, being senior 
Colonel, relieved Col. Mersy of the command of the Brigade, and Col. 
Mersy went home on sick-leave. 

The Regiment remained in camp here until August 16th, 18G2. 
During this time the following changes occurred: Captain Webb re- 
signed, and his resignation was accepted July 15th, 1862. Lieutenant 
Purviauce, of Co. I, was discharged August IGtli, for inability from 
wounds received in action at Shiloh. 

On the 16th of August, in compliance with orders from Gen. Davies, 
Division commander, the Regiment moved, with camp and garrison 
equipage, to Rienzi, and reported for duty to Brig. Gen. Granger, com- 
manding at that place, by whom it was assigned to Col. Schaefier, 
commanding 2d Brigade, 

Regimental QiArtermaster, W. G. Pinckard, was promoted to be 
Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, to rank from April oOth, 1862. 

There are some incidents during the period covered by this chapter 
worthy of note. During the battle of Shiloh, Lieut. Col. Phillips was 
wounded. It occurred late on Sabbath evening. He says the only 
time he had ever been scared since he has been in the army, was when 
ihey were carrying him oiF the battle-field wounded. The thought 
occurred to him, that now there was almost six feet exposed to the 
fire of the enemy instead of one foot, forgetting for the time, that while 
his body occupied an additional space horizontally, it did not occupy sa 
much p,erpendi.cujarly, as when he was on bis horse. 



S8 A HISTORY OP 



C H A P T E K V. 

FROM THE ATTACK ON COKINTH, OCT. 3d, 1862, UNTIL REGIMENT 
"WAS MOUNTED. 

Rebels prepare to attach Corinth — Order of battle — Result of the 
attack on the Sr/ of October — A^eiv line of battle at " White House" — 
Line at ^'■Battery Robinetf — Slaughter on the 4t7i of October — Ex- 
tracts from a Rebel prisoner'' s journal — List of hilled and wounded 
— Outpost dutf/. 

The Rebel leaders were uot satisfied tliat owe forces should occupy 
Cormth, uninterruptedly. Hence, in the Fall of 1862 active prepara^ 
tious were made by them to attack that place. A heavy force, under 
(i-euerals Price and VanDorn, was fi.tted up for this purpose. The timo 
was drawing near when our boys must endure another of those terrible 
struggles, two of which they had already passed through. 

As I have said, the Regiment had been doing outpost duty at Ricuzi, 
from the ICth of August until the last of September. On the 20th of 
September, Col. SchaelFer's Brigade, with which our Regiment had 
been temporarily united, moved Northward, leaving the 9th 111. and the 
59th Indiana, to hold the place. On the 1st of October the 9th 111. 
moved toward Corinth, and bivouacked for the night seven miles South 
of our old camp near Corinth. Moved again, on the 2d of October, and 
came to the old fimiliar camp, at noon. Here we occupied our old 
position again, reporting to General Oglcsby, who commanded tlie 
Brigade. 

On the morning of October 3d, 1862, the Regiment was marched 
out in its proper position for the terrible conflict, The following order 
will show the position it occupied during the fight. It was moved out 
two miles Northwest of Corinth, to the old rifle-pits of the rebels. Our 
Brigade was on the left of the 2d Division. The 6th Division was on 
our left. On the right of the 6th Division, was the 3d Brigade of the 
2d Division, (Col. Baldwin commanding,) which had been temporarily 
attached to that Division. Gen. McArthur commanded the 6th Divi- 
sion; Gen. Davies the 2d Division, and Gen. Hamilton the Ohia 
Division. This latter Division Avas held in reserve.' Immediately on 
our right was the 1st Brigade of the 2d Division. Such was the posi- 
tion our Brigade occupied at the opening of this terrible conflict. 

The enemy made their first attack upon Gen. McArthur's Division, 
which was placed immediately upon our left. After a short resistauee. 



FT/ 

TTIE WNTn RBaiMENT. 39 

€e]. Baldvriu's Brigade, i)laced on tlic right of riiat .]Vi\ isicm, g-ave way 
and foil back in confusion. This uncovered and exposed to the enemy 
our left flank. Soon the enemy came through the large gap thus made, 
and attacked us simultaneously in the front and rear. The ISlst Ohio, 
placed upon the left of our Brigade, gave way and moved in confusion 
and disorder to the right and rear, followed very soon by the 12th 111., 
and then the 9th moved in the s;une nuuuicr. 

In attempting to check the too hasty advance af the Bcbels, the fUh 
111. lost Capt. Britt, killed, and the two Captains Lowe, and Lieutenants 
Hughes and Uleu, together with 5o enlisted men, captured. 

Gen. Ilackleman's Brigade covered our retreat, and Ave fell Lack and 
formed a new line at the "White House." The Brigades occupied the 
same oj'der in this Hue as in the former one. Here the advance of the 
■enemy was checked, until darkness put a stop to the conflict for this day. 

During the night our line Avas drawn back to' Battery ''llobinett." 
Just before daylight, ou the morning of the 4th of October, the enemy 
■cheered by their success of yestej-da)** opened from a four-gun battery, 
on the town, compelling our wounded to leave for safer quarters. A 
General Hospital was established cue mile out on the M. k, C. R. IL, 
where all the wounded were removed. Before they could all be re- 
•moved, one or two of them had been killed by the rebel shells in the 
Tishomingo House. At daylight, the action beearoc general all along 
our lines. The Rebel columns made desj^erate charges., and w^ere as 
often repulsed. 

General Oglesby, eommandi<ng OTir Brigade, was wounded the day 
previous, and Col. Mersy assumed commaiid of the Brigade. Major 
Kuhn, of our Regiment, was also disabled, and Captain Hawes assumed 
command of the Regiment during the fight on the 4th of Octolior. 

The slaughter of the enemy, in the eiForts to capture " Jiattery 
Eobinett," was terrific. A true pi-eturc of the ground, taken ere the 
dead were removed, shows the ground to be literally covered with the 
dead, often lying one upon another. 

The struggle lasted until about 10 A. M., when the Rebel line was 
broken, and theh- whjle army retreated in cjnfasiou and disorder. Thus 
-ended another of those terrible conflicts which have marked the history 
of this war. The conflict was fierce and determined on both sides. 
Our forces were under the command of (icn. Rosecrans. Tho.se of the 
■enemy were under Generals Price and VauBoru. It was regarded a 
matter of vital importance, at that time, for our forces to hold that place. 
The importance which the Rebels attached to the work of re-taking it, 
.aad the desperate struggle they made in order to do it. will be seen 



40 A HISTOXY ©r 

fi;om some estraets which I will here make from the journal of a Rebel 
prisoaer, Lieut. Labtuzan, of the 42d Regt. Ala. A copy of his notes^ 
feaken as the battle progressed, and after he was captured, was^obtained 
fey some of the boys in- oiia* Regiment, and I have thus secured access. 
to it. The following extract will show the position the enemy occupied 
on the dlay before the battle commenced : 

^^ Thursday, Oct. 2(1 — -Th^ bridge finished' about 10 o'clock, whea 
we took up the line of march. We^ marched right in front, which 
brought our Regt. near the head of the column. Generals VanDorn. 
and Villipigue were ahsead about two or three miles. The army here is 
fully 25,U0j men under command of ^n. VauDorn, who outranks 
(len. Price. Rrig. Gen. Moore commanded our Brigade of five Regi- 
ments. Our Division is commanded by Brig. Gen. Manny." 

I omit here a portion of his notes as to the march during the day, 
and the manner in which he spent the nig^t of the- 2d October. It 
would be interesting to" give the whole of this extract fi-om his journal^ 
biit it would oeci/ijiy too mach space. It would enable us to vie'w that 
great battle from a rebel stand-point. Of the first day of the fight, }i& 
writes thu,*'.' 

^'Fn'dai/, Ort. 3f?. — Reveille by the bugle at 4 A. ]M- "Were march- 
ing by ^2. Crossed into Mississippi at 7 A. 31. Marched just on the- 
border for some miles. i^Lt 04 hoard somie^artilIoj;y firing. Three miles 
ahead, skirmishing, which was kqjt up iwitil after we crossed the M,. 
& C. R. R., which was at 9} A. M. Saw a Regiment skirmishing in ai 
field just below us. The artillery kept up a cun^stant fise aj^out three 
times a minute. Our Brigade, under (Jen. Moore, marching into the 
Avoods, formed, a Jine of battle, our right resting on the Railroad. We- 
had not waited more than fifteen minutes, Avheii heavy skirmishing was- 
heard about a half mile in front, Avith ste:uly and iujcreasing cannonading. 
Two men from each company w,ere detailed to attend to the wounded,. 
<&c. We left blankets and Icnapsaclcs here. About 10 o'clock oui*- 
I3rigade marched forward through a corn-field, and formed into a line- 
within a half mile of the enemy. Heavy firing j,ust in front. Saw a 
\Iajor who was wounded." 

He proceeds- thus to speak of the fight of th& 3d; but I will not 
follow him further, on that day. Let i\s bear him describe the scene- 
of the 4th : 

''Saturda?/, Oct. 4t7i. — An awful day. At 4 o'clock, before day, our 
brigade was ordered tO' the left aboitt oae-fourth »£a mile, and halted^ 
(•hroAving out lines of skirmishers, which kept up a constant firei A 
Battery in front of the right of our Regiment opened briskly, and tha 
enemy replied' the same. The cannonading was heavy for an hour and 
a half. Our Regiment lay down close, and stood it nobly. The shell 
flew thick and fast, cuttirrg oft! large- limbs and filling the air with frag- 
ments. Mafly burst within 20 feet, and the pieces popped within 2 or 
% feet.. It vRaa- extremely uopleosaoi, aad I pr.ayedfox. £orgiveDf.ss of 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. 41 

my sins, and made up my mind to go thro\i-;h. C<>I. Sawier called f(jr 
volunteers to assist the 2d Texas skivniishers. I volunteered, and took 
my company. Captain Perkins and J.icutenant Wuuison heinjr taken 
sick directly after the severe bombaixliuent, I had the Co; all the time. 
I went skirmishing at 7 J, and returned at O-l o'clock. We got behind 
trees and logs, and the way the bullets did fly, was unpleasant to see. 
I think 2 J must have passed within a few feet of me, humming prettily. 
Shells tore oif large limbs and splinters. Struck my tyee several times. 
"VVe could only move from tree to tree, and bending low to the ground, 
■while moving. Oh, how anxiously I watched for the bursting of the 
shells when the heavy roar of the cannon proclaimed their coming. At 
9J o'clock I had my skirmishers relieved, by (Captain House's Company. 
Sent my men to their places, and went behind a log with Major Furges. 
At 10 o'clock, suddenly the light fairly opened, witli heavy volleys of 
musketry and the double tliundering cannon. This was on the right. 
In a few minutes the left went into action in splendid style. xVt lOi 
o'clock, Col. llogers came up by its, only saying ''Alabama forces." • 
Our Regiment, with the Brigade rose, unmindful of the shell or shot, 
and moved forward, marching about 250 yards and rising the crest of 
a hill. The whole of Corinth, with its enormous fortifications, burst 
upon our view. The U. S. flag was floating over the forts and in town. 
We were now met by a perfect storm of grape, cannister, cannon balls 
and Minnie balls. Oh, Grod! I have never seen the like! The men 
fell like grass, even here. Giving one tremendous cheer, we dashed to 
the bottom of the hill on which the fortifications are situated. Here 
we found every foot of ground covered with large trees and brush, cut 
down to impede our progress. Looking to the right and left, I saw 
several Brigades charging at the same time. What a sight was there. 
I. saw men running at full speed, stop suddenly and fall upon their 
faces, with their brains scattered all around. Others, with legs and 
arms cut oft', shrieking with agony. They fell behind, beside, and . 
within a few feet of me. I gave myself to God. and got ahead of my 
company. The ground was literally strewed with mangled corpses. 
One ball passed through my pants, and they cut twigs right by me. It 
seemed,, by holding out my hand I could have caught a dozen. They 
buzzed and hissed by me in all directions, but I still pushed forward. 
I seemed to be moving right in the mouth of cannon, for the air was 
filled with hurling grape and cannister. Ahead was one continuous 
blaze. I rushed to the ditch of the fort, right between some large 
cannon. I grappled into it, and half way up the sloping wall. The 
enemy were only three or four feet froni me on the other side, but could 
not shoot us for fear of having their heads blown oft". Our men were 
in the same predicament. Only 5 or 6 were on the wall, and 30 or 40 
in and around the ditch. Catesby on the wall by my side. _ A man 
within two feet of me, put his head cautiously up, to shoot into the 
fort. But he suddenly dropped his musket, and his brains were dashed 
in a stream over my fine coat, which I had in my arms, and on my 
shirt sleeves. Several were killed here, on top one another, and rolled 
down the embankment in ghastly heaps. This was done by a Ucgi- 



42 A HISTORY OF 

ment of Yankees coming about 40 yards on our left, after finding us 
entirely cut off, and firing into us. Several of our men cried "put 
down the flag," and it was lowered, or shot into the ditch. Oh, we 
were butchered like dogs, as we were not supported. Some one placed 
a white handkerchief on Sergeant Buck's musket, and he took it to a 
port hole. But the Yankees snatched it oft' and took him prisoner. 
The men fell 10 at a time. The ditch being full, and finding we had 
no chance, the survivors tried to save themselves as best they could. 
I was so far up, I could not get off quickly. I do not recolleetof seeing 
Catesby after thisj but think he got off" before. I trust in God he has. 
I and Capt. Foster started together, and the air was literally filled with 
hissing balls. I got about 2U steps, as quick as I could, about a dozen 
being killed in that distance. I fell down and scrambled behind a 
large stump. Just then, I saw poor Foster throw up his hands, and 
isaying ''Oh, my God I'' jumped about two feet from the ground, falling 
on his face. The top of his head seemed to cave in, and the blood 
spouted straight up several feet. I could see men fall as they attem])ted 
to run, some with their, heads to pieces, and others with the blood 
streaming from their backs. It was horrible. One poor fellow being 
almost on me, told me his name, and asked me to take his pocket-book 
if I escaped and give it to his mother, and tell her that he died a brave 
man. I asked him if he was a Christian, and told him to pray, which 
he did, with -the cannon thundering a deadly accompaniment. Poor 
fellow, I forgot hi^ request in the excitement. His legs were literally 
cut to pieces. As our men returned, the enemy poured in their fire, 
and I was hardly 30 feet from the mouth of the cannon. Minnie balls 
filled the stump I was behind, and the shells bursted within three feet 
of me. One was so near it stunned me, and burned my face with pow- 
der. The grape-shot hewed large pieces off my stump, gradually 
wearing it away. 1 endured the horrors of death here for half an hour,' 
and endeavored to resign myself and prayed. Our troops formed in 
line in the woods, and advanced a second time to the charge with 
cheers. They began firing when about halfway, and I had to endure 
it all. I was feigning death. I was right between our own and the 
enemies fire. In the first charge our men did not fire a gun, but 
charg3d across the ditch, and to the very mouth of the cannon, with 
the bayonet. So also the second charge, but they fired. Thank God, 
I am unhurt, and I think it \vas a merciful Providence. Our troops 
charged by, when I seized a rifle and endeavored to fire it several times, 
but CHild not, for the cap was bad. Our boys were shot down like 
hogs, and could not stand it, and, fell back each man for himself Then 
the same scene was 'enacted as before. This time the Yankees charged 
after them, and as I had no chance at all, and all around me were sur- 
rendering, I was compelled to do so, as a rascal threatened to shoot me. 
I had to give up my sword to him. He demanded my watch also. 
Took it; but I appealed to an officer, and got it back. I had no means 
of defending myself for the first time in many years. I cried to see 
our brave men slaughtered so, and thought where Catesby might be. 
I have never felt so in all my life. It is now said that our Brigade 



f<3 

THE NINTH REGIMENT. 43 

was never ordered to cliar2;o such a place, and that it was a nustake. 
If so, it was a sad one. Being broup;ht behind the works we found 
three Reg-iments drawn up iiv line, and all of them were fighting our 
42d Alabama alone. I helped to carry a wounded man to "the Depot, 
with Lieutenants Marshall, Contra and Preston, they being the only 
unhurt officers who wore prisoners from our llegimcut. We and the 
privates were soon marched to a large house, having a partition for the 
officers. The men, about 400, in nest room. I heard firing again, 
but I fear we can do nothing. We are treated very politely— more so 
tlian I had expected." 

Perhaps the reader is noAv ready to ask what this long extract from 
a secesh officer's journal, has to do with the history of the !>th 111. Tnft. 
Well, it is not very intimately connected with it. But it lias been 
preserved by the boys m the Regiment, and all agree that it gives a 
very correct account of that terrible battle. It has, however, this 
connection with our history: It shows the desperate nature of that 
struggle, in which our boys took so active a part. It shows that they 
liad a foe to contend with, full of courage and who fought with des- 
peration. 

It was truly a terrible battle. One officer who was on the ground, 

told me that he at one time thought the rebels would succeed in driving 

us out. 

The loss sustained by the 9th Regt. 111. Inft. in this terrible conflict, 

was 20 killed and 82 wounded. Captain Britt was among the killed. 
The following officers were among the wounded: Major Kuhn, Adjt 
Klock, Captains Kneifner and Robinson, and Lieutenants Rollmanu; 
Williford, Clements and Cowgill. There were 57 captured, including 
Captains E. M. and Gr. Gr. Low, and Lieutenants S. T. Hughs and B. 
L. Ulen. 

The following is a list of the killed and wounded, in the various 
companies: 

Co.MPANY A. — Killed, Charles Gibrich — 1. Wounded, William 
Kortkamp — 1 

Company B.— Killed, Joseph Cropp and Jacob Sulzer. — 2. Wanrid- 
ed, Captain Kneffner, Anton Weenstroth, Sergeant John Eichenberger, 
Corporal Louis Fisher, Paul Geist, Ed. Hoffmann, George Jenne, 
Nicholaus Meyer, Jos. Noelsner, George Salz, Daniel Werner, Sergeant 
Augustus Wurmb. In all, 12 wounded. 

Company C— Killed, Corporal John Fangemann, and Frederich 
Hugenberg. — 2. Wounded, 1st Lieutenant Oscar Rollman, 2d Lieut 
Charles Sheve, Privates John Miller, Peter Schneider, John Frietz, 
Christian Jackob, Christian Maedel, Henry Bchm, and Jacob Herpci0. 
Jn all, 9 wounded. 



44 A HISTORY OF 

Company D. — Killed., Jacob Berthold, Hy. Borchording, John 
Smith, Christ Truting, Louis Truttman. In all, 5 killed. A number 
were slightly wounded — mimes not given. 

Company E. — Wounded, Corporal Francis J. Murphy, Privates 
William T. Grrimley, Jack L. Stevens, James F. .Williams, James 
. Malone, John Lill, John Beatty, William P. Kelley, Neal Vestal. In 
all, 9 wounded. 

Company F.— lulled, Captain William Britt, Privates John 0. 
Foeshee, and Fred. Weggourd. In all, 3 killled. Wounded, Sergt. 
W. C. Hawly, Corp. James Fiske, Private William Miller. In all, 3 
wounded. 

Company G. — Killed, Alferd Bartley and Johu McCord. In all, 
2 killed. Wounded, Lieutenant I. Clements, Henry Brown, James A. 
Peragin, William J. Heglar, Robert Marshall, N. Gr. Brown. In all, 
6 wounded. 

Company H. — Killed, Sam'l Giesinger, John B. Livingood, Sebas- 
tian Swendeman. In all, 3 killed. Wounded, 1st Lieutenant C. H. 
G-ilmore, 2d Lieutenant A, Cowgill, James Brady, William S. Boone, 
Dennis Bahon, Charles Bicrnbrier, William A. Cottingham,, Robert 
Finley, Israel Ilaller, Charles H. Newcomb, George W. Quails, Wm. 
Reckord, Francis M. Stickle, 0. W. Boutwell, Venice C. Haller, Am- 
brose J. Shelton, Jos, W. Warren. In all, 17 wounded. 

Company I. — Wounded, Thomas Pat, William Baird, John Jaka, 
James Lang, Jos. E. Stringer. In all, 5 wounded. 

Company K. — Killed, James Uleu. — 1. Wounded, George Myers, 
Levi Gibbs, Henry Stanger, John Burke, Charles W. Boles, Jos N. 
Coneden, Peter Hall, Sam'l C. Ulen, Frank M. Winsted. In all, 9 
wounded. 

The enemy driven from Corinth, our Regiment was again thrown 
out on the front, a position it had been occupying for some time before 
the battle. On the 8th of October, it moved South to Danville, Miss., 
and on the next day the left wing, Companies K, I, H, G, and F, 
moved on to Rienzi. Col. Mersy took command of all the troops at 
Rienzi, and Lieut. Col. Phillips, who had now rejoined the Regiment, 
after his severe wound at Shiloh, of the forces at Danville. The Regi- 
ment, with other troops of the 2d Brigade, performed outpost duty at 
the above named places until the 28th of November, 1862, when they 
returned and went into camp at Corinth, Miss. 

On the 12th of December, the Regiment moved Southward again, 
going within five miles of Tupelo, Miss., and returned to camp at 
Corinth on the 19th of the same month; Col. Mersy being in command 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. 45 

of the 2d Brigade, and Lieut. Col. Pliillips in command of the Regiment. 
On the 2d day of January, 1803, we moved three and a hali" milci 
East of Monterey, and bivouacked for the night, and returned to camp 
the next day; Gen. Forrest and his command having escaped acrosi 
the river. The Regiment remained in camp until March, nut having 
much duty, except guard duty. 

During the period embraced in this chapter, some interesting inci- 
dents occurred. As I mentioned above, the two Captains Low, and 
Lieutenant Hughs, together with a considerable number of privates, 
were taken prisoners. I have given extensive extracts from tiie journal 
of a Rebel prisoner, showing the horrors of the battle-field. It may 
not be amiss to refer to some things connected with the prison-life of 
some of our boys, who were captured in this battle at Corinth. 

The scene, as described by Captain G. Gr. Low, to the writer, beggars 
description. The horrors of their retreat was terrible. The Captain 
thinks if Napoleon's retreat from Moscow was much moi'e terrible, he 
does not know how it was endured at all. But I shall here allow the 
Captain to speak for himself, by giving extracts from a written state- 
ment, which he kindly furnished me, of his prison Hfe : 

"On the morning of the 3d of October, lSG2,our Regiment received 
orders to move early in the morning. We had moved up the day 
before from Rienzi, to within 2.} miles of Corinth. As we approached 
Corinth, we could occasionally hear the bonm of distant cannun. Con- 
jecture was rife as to what it meant, so little did we expect an action. 
We passed through Corinth, and to the outer works on the West of it. 
Sometime before we obtained our position behind the rifle-pits, three 
had been heavy fighting on our left. We took our position here, feel- 
ing confident we could hold it against a vastly superior force. The 
enemy were gradually approaching from the front, and our line was 
being engaged, when I noticed a panic in my company, I was on the 
extreme left of our Regiment. Many of my men broke out of the ditch 
and started back. I oVdered every man back to his place. They told 
me the 12th 111. and 81st Ohio were running. I told them it mattered 
not; we would stay there until we were ordered away. I saw a change 
of front was necessary, and expected to hear the order to change front 
to rear, on first company. But it did not come- Soon after, I heard 
the order to move by the tight flank; but it was too late. Already the 
enemy were in our rear. I saw it would be death for my nion to 
attempt to leave their position, and I surrendered with seventeen of my 
command. . 

"Wc Avere moved back about three-fourths of a mile. I found thai 
Captain C. M. Lowe and Lieutenant L. T. Hughes of our Regiment, 
were captured. We were placed under guard at or near a house. 
Here a woman abused us very much. She insisted that Captain Lowe 
was the mean Yankee that was there the night before and stole he» 



4G A HISTORY OP 

chickens. The Captain assured her that he had never been there 
before, and that she must be mistaken. She was certain he was the 
man. and had it not been for the guard, she would have pitched into 
him rough-shod. I think she was as hard a specimen of the fair-sex 
as I have ever seen in the Sunny South; and I have seen many that 
outraged decency and forever disgraced the name of woman. 

"After the excitement of the battle was over, or rather of the scenes 
through which we passed that day, we had time to reflect. Here we 
were, prisoners of war, held by a motley set of human beings that, as 
far as outward appearances were concerned, would be a disgrace to 
barbarians. I wondered, *'Is this the boasted chivalry of the South, 
gent out to fight the hated poor men of the North, the ^mud-sills' and 
"■greasi/ mechanics?' " When I saw my poor boys, dressed in their bluo 
uniforni, contrasted with these rag-a-muffins, I felt proud of them. 

'"The "llcbs" had great stories to tell us. Bragg had captured 
Louisville and all Buell's army. Lee had captured Little Mac. and 
40,UU0 prisoners, (lovernor Gamble, of Missouri, had turned over 
40,000 troops, well armed and ecj!uii)ped, to the Southern Conl'cderacy; 
and they had come with 70,000 men to capture Corinth, and drive 
(iraut out of We.st Tennessee, and the war. would be over in a few days. 
x\ll were jubilant. 

"At night, we moved in the woods about a mile, and were consoled 
with a lot of wounded of both armies. About- o'clock at night, the 
news came back that they had captured Corinth, and we would be 
moved up there in the morning. About tliis time. Col. Prevene, of a 
South Carolina llcgimeiit, came to see us, (he was a Mason,) and took 
Capt. Lowe and myself outside the lines and had a long talk with us. 
He assured us that Corinth was not taken, and that it would not be; 
and further, that Clen. VanDoru was (to use his own language) a d — d 
fool for attacking the place. To-night we had nothing to eat, except a 
cup of colfee that a Bebel Lieutenant made for us. I furnished the 
coffee. We passed a restless night. 

"The morning of the 4th dawned, and was ushered in with the boom 
of heavy cannon. This assured us that the place was not taken, but 
that they had approached very near it, as we could hear the guns of*^ 
the forts. The cannonading and musketry was iuce-sant from daylight 
until about 1 P. M. At that time, orders came to move us back to the 
real". We took up our line of march to Dixie. Although we were 
prisoners in the hands of the enemy, yet we wpre jubilant. We knew 
they had been repulsed; that the stars and stripes had again been 
triumphant; and though we had a prison-life, and even starvation 
staring us in the face, yet there was not a man despondent. We were 
then suffering for something to eat. but we knew the "rebs." were 
suffering even more than we were; for they had nothing to eat when 
they attacked Corinth, and their only hope for something, was the 
capture of the place. In this they had failed. The retreat soon be- 
came a rout. Neither tongue nor pen can describe the sufferings during 
that memorable retreat. Wagons, with six mules attached, were filled with 
the wounded and dying, and the cowardly drivers whipping their mulesr 



4 • 
THE NINTH REOnrKNT. 4T 

at every jump. The groans of the dying and the cnrscs of the wuiinded 
were enough to niako the kneos of terror tremble. One woukl think, 
that if human suffering would expiate tlie crime of treason, all this 
army should be forgiven; for they suffered from hunger, thirst, fatigue, 
and all the ills that follow a defeated, routed, broken and disheartened 
army. I could not help feeling sorry for the panic stricken wretches. 

'•At 7iight, we camped about twelve miles from Corinth, on a little 
branch. I had cofl^e enough to make its a eup apiece. This, and a 
few crumbs of crackers, was all we had for twelve of us — eight Federal 
officers aad four Rebel officers." (It will be remembered they had had. 
nothing to eat the day before, and very Mttle on the preceding day.) 
"We camped near a house, and there was a rooster, the only chickeiv 
left on the premises. We offered live dollars for it. The woman would 
not let us have it. 

•'On the morning of the 5th of October, we again moved, escorted 
by a company of tlie Kebel Jackson's cavalry, under command of Capt. 
Douglass. Let me mention here, that Capt. D. did all in his power to 
make his prisoners comfortable. While we were being murclicd back 
on the afteraoou of the 4th, nn aid of Gen. VauDorn's rode up and 
told him to move the prisoners faster. lie said, 'If I move them faster 
<stliey will fall down from exhaustion.' The aid replied, 'Let them fall, 
and be d-^d. Shoot them if you cannot get them along.' -But the 
Captain took his own gait, and treated all kindly. As we marched 
along this forenoon we saw a great number of their wounded on all sides 
of the road. About 1 o'clock we cam'e in sight of Hatchie Bridge. 
We halted for a few moments, and soon we heard fighting in front of 
us. We were taken back about one mile, and halted in a hollow. Vt e 
had been there but a few moments, when rifle shells came whistling in 
such close proximity that we had to retire furtlier back. Soon we saw 
the Rebel mass come running back in, if possible, greater coufusiou 
than the day before. They thought the whole Rebel army would be 
captured. They took up the. Hatchie about ten miles and crossed us, 
and we halted "about 12 o'clock that night, liear liuckersville, Miss. 
Here they killed a beef weighing about 800 pounds, for the 8i:0 pris- 
oners and their guards, in all over 400. We bad h-ad nothing to eat 
that day but raw corn. We ate the beef without salt. 

"On the morning of the 6th, we started towards Ripley, without 
anything else to eat. Arriving at that place late in the afternoon, they 
gave us a very little to eat, perhaps rations enough for fifty men. ^ On 
the following morning we moved in the direction of J lolly Springs, 
Miss. The day was very hot and the roads dusty. Add to this, the 
sufferinu- &om hunger, and it would be hard to describe the amount of 
sufferini^ the men endured. We camped at night near a Mr. Robinson'?. 
(To-day" we had to mareh about nine miles out of the way, on account 
of some one destroying a bridge in the rear of the retreating army.) 
The officers got a very good supper at Mr. R.'s. by paying one dollar 
each, in Greenbacks. He would not take anything else. The men got 
Uut little to eat. 

"On the morning of the 7th, the officers hired a team to take theia 



48 A HISTORY OF 

to Holly Springs, fbf which they paid S20. We arrived there at 11 
o'clock at night. Here we were taken to Col. Roddy's Head Quarters. 
He said he was surprised that we, being North-western men, were 
fighting Southern men. Captain Lowe told him that we were not in a 
condition to resent an insult, and did not wish to be insulted. This 
ended the conversation. 

"The next evening we started by Railroad, under guard, for Jack- 
son, Miss., arriving there about 10 A. M., on the 9th of October. 
Here we were taken before General Thillman.and paroled for that city 
and A'ieksburg. We had good rooms at the best hotel in Jackson. 
On the morning of the lUth we took cars for Vicksburg. On this trip 
We had no guard, except one Rebvl Captain. We arrived at Vicksburg 
about 1 o'clock, and were quartered at the 'Washington Hotel.' We 
were limited to certain streets. Otherwise we had our liberty. Our 
fare at the hotel \tas corn bread, corn coftee, fresh beef and molasses. 
The ladies were allowed wheat bread, and wlwn the darkies could do 
so without being detected by their master, they would supply ».s with 
that luxury. On the whole, we were treated pretty well by the 'Rebs.' 
"We found them generally dispirited; but said they thought they 
never could be conquered, &c. 

On the 18th of October, we Were paroled, and started up the river 
to meet our flag of truce boat. The sight of the old flag and hard bread 
created great joy among our men. Hard treatment, under a flag of 
treason, had endeared the old flag to them. A scanty supply of corn 
bread, and beef without salt, made 'hard tack' look and taste like the 
best food cooked. On the morning of the 19th of October, 1802, we 
took our course up the river fof '(jiod's country.'" 

A little incident narrated by Private Neal Vestal, of Co. E, who was 
taken prisoner at the same time with Captain Lowe, is worth noting. 
When the Rebs. were attacked by General Hurlbut, at the Hatchle oa 
the 5th of October, and a panic ■Was arising, a Rebel Captain passing 
by Neal, he inquired, good naturedly, "Well, Captain, what are you 
going to do with us now?" His reply was, "If I had my way, I would 
shoot you." At which Neal replied, "I bet six bits that man was not 
in the fight." At this response went up all along the line, "That is 
true!" 



/"^ 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. 49 



CHAPTER VI. 

PROM THE MOUNTING OP THE REGIMENT TO LEAVING POCAHONTAS* 

Regiment mounted — Scout to Tuscumbia, with 'its Jive engagements — 
Scout to Florence, with tiro evgageiiients- — Move camp to Pocuho'ii- 
tas — Scoiit to New Albany, destroying the toicn — Mud Creek scout 
and battle — Scout to Jackson, atid battle — Scout to Riplei/ — Scout 
to Trenton, Tenn. — Scout to Grenada — Raid to Grenada — Commis- 
sions and promotions — Battles of Salem, Graham's Mills and My- 
att's — List of killed and ivoundcd — Incidents. 

Our Government, by the beginning of 1868, began to see the necesJ- 
sity of having a larger mounted force. It Was proposed that many of 
the Infantry Regiments should be mounted for scouting purposes. 
Lieut. Col. Phillips made application to have the 9th 111. Inft. mounted. 
He was told that it could be .mounted on mules, but not on horses. 
He replied that he would prefer the mules, as they would endure more 
hard usage and require less care. Hence, on the 15th of JMarch, 1863, 
Lieut. Col. Phillips, commanding Regiment, received orders to mount 
his command, on mules, for scouting purposes. The Regiment was all 
mounted by the 20th of March. 

Col. Mersy was in command of the 2d Brigade, and Lieut. Col. 
Phillips of the Regiment. This arrangement still continues, to the 
pi'esent date. 

Sergeant George Rhuland, of Company A, was commissioned as 1st 
Lieutenant of said company. He ranks from March 20th, 1863. the 
date of the receipt of his commission. 

The Regiment was paid on the 26th of August, by Jliijor J^helps,for 
the months of May and June. 

On the 14th of April, the Regiment received orders to be ready to 
move by daylight the next morning. The order was afterwards changed 
to moving in half an hour. We were soon on the way towards Glen- 
dale, where the rebels had made a dash on a small body of the 64th 
111. Vols. We reached Glendale a little too late, as Col. Cornyn had 
driven the enemy and started in pursuit. The Regiment hastened 
forward and found him at Yellow Stone Creek. We were delayed one 
and a-half hours in oro.ssing this very muddy stream. Hence, we 
bivouacked for the night two miles beyond. Moved forward rapidly, 
on the 15th, and bivouacked within four miles of Big Bear Creek, on 
the opposite bank of which, we were informed, there was a large body 



f>0 A HI&T®fiY OF 

of the enemy. We awaited here, on the IGth, the arrival of the Infan- 
try force from Corinth. All having arrived, we moved rapidly, earlv 
on the morning of the 17th. After "shelling the woods" for a short 
time with .onr rifled pieces, the following mounted forces, viz : 10th 
Missouri Cavalry, battallion of the 15th Illinois Cavalry, and the 9th 
Illinois Mounted Infantry, dashed rapidly across the creek. Captain 
Richardson was throwing shell over our heads at an imaginary force 
across the creek. As he did not stop soon enough, a number of hh 
shell flew among our men, but fortunately no one was hurt. -As soon 
as all the mounted force was over, and one section of Tamrath's Battery, 
we moved forward ou' the Tuscnmbia road. 

At Dickson's we ran upon the enem3''s videttes, driving them back 
to "Buzzard Roost" or "Cherokee Bluffs," where they made a stand, 
and the place being naturally strong, our shell could not dislodge them. 
Consequently, the 9th 111. IMounted Infantry was dismounted, and de- 
ployed as skirmishers. . They advanced rapidly to within one hundred 
yards of the bluff, and then the right wing swung around on the left 
flank of the enemy, compelling them to leave the bluff very rapidly, and 
in great disorder. About 25 of the Rebels were killed, wounded and 
captured. Our loss was five slightly wounded, none disabled. The 
weather being intensely hot, the horses iii the .section of battery with 
us, became too much exhausted to move further. Their ammunition 
was also about exliausted. The two guns were consequently left at 
this place to await the arrival of the main force. Lieutenant Krebs, 
with Co. D, was left to support the guns, in case of an attack. There 
were also seven men of Co. I left here to guard the prisoners. 

Immediately after crossing the creek, one company of the 10th Mo., 
and one of the 9th 111., were ordered to move two miles out on our left 
flank, and break up a camp of the enemy said to be in that direction. 
Lieutenant Patterson, with Co. E off our Regiment, was ordered on that 
expedition. This detadimcnt drove the rebels from their camp, toward 
their main bod3''on the Tuscumbia road. This body of the enemy, 250 
strong, came upon tlfe two guns of Tamrath's Battery that we had left 
at Cherokee Bluffs, and before the guns could get to us, they, and all 
of Co. D, except three men, and the seven men of Co. I, were captured. 
We moved rapidly back, and succeeded in recapturing one of the guns 
in "Lundy's Lane." 

Col. Ciimeron, of the 1st Alabama Regiment, (loyal,) was killed here 
in the charge. The Rebels fled to the timber on our left, beyond the 
reach of our muskets, and too far off for the effective fii-iug of the 
" Mountain howitzers." 



THE NINTH RElUM'ENT. 51 

Col. Cornyn now ordered us to fall back and rejoin the main body, 
as we numbered only 1200, all told, while the enemy were not less than 
2500 strong. Scarcely, however, had we left "Lundy's Lane," before 
the enemy filed out of the timber and formed a line across the open 
field, threatening our rear. The advance of the Tnftmtry force being 
now only one mile back, we turned about and confronted our foe. The 
9th 111. Inft. dismounted, and moved around to the left flank of the 
enemy's line, while the cavalry charged their front. They broke and 
fled bej^ond a high ridge, and we advanced rapidly and took possession 
of the ridge. In the meantime, Col. Bane's Brigade, and Welker's 
Battery came rapidly on the field, unobserved and unknown to the 
Rebels. This Brigade waS immediately posted as follows: The 50th 
111. behind a high grading of the Railroad and to the- left of the open 
field, on which the Rebels had formed their line previous to being driven 
back by our Cavalry; the 7th 111. Inft. were moved in the timber, 
around to the right of the field, and a little further advanced than the 
50th; the 57th 111. were held in reserve. The Cavalry ireceived orders 
to fall back rapidly, and in apparent confusion, as soon as the enemy 
should appear on the ridge. 

This disposition being made of the forces, the 9th 111. Inft. fell back 
100 yards, to a fence overgrown with bushes, and lay concealed behind 
it. The Rebels advanced with loud shouts, and planted a 12-pound 
Howitzer on the ridge. Our" Cavalry hastily retreated, and the enemy 
believing victory certain, dashed gallantly ahead, when the 50th arid 
7th 111. Regiments opened on then'i a deadly fire. About the same time, 
a body of the enemy appeared on tLe left of the Railroad on the ridge. 
They were opened upon by the 9th 111. The contest was not long. In 
less than ten minxites, the whole body of the Rebels were in rapid retreat 
towards Cane Creek. 

The loss of ihe enemy was, according to their own statement, 17 
killed, 50 wounded, and 23 taken prisoners. The 9th III. lost 5 wounded 
and 59 captured (Co. D.) The entire Union loss was 3 killed, 10 
wounded, and 75 captured. 

Night now coming on, we bivouacked near the battle-field. On the 
18th, after a reconnoisance in front, and finding the enemy in strong 
position near Cane Creek, our whole force fell back to Bear Creek, and 
went into camp. 

On the 19th, Companies E and F were sent, as escort to a train, to 
Eastport Landing. The rest of the Regiment, with the whole mounted 
force, moved circuitously to "Buzzard Roost," and found the enemy, 
under Roddy, occupying the si\mc position as on the 17th at Cherokee 



©Is A HISTORY OP 

Bluff. Our Regiment was again deployed as skirmishers, in the same 
manner as before. After fifteen minutes skirmishing, we drove the 
enemy from his position, killing, wounding and capturing 13 of them, 
and losing none. 

We then returned to camp at Bear Creek, taking with us a drove of 
cattle and shecp. On the 20th of April, the 7th Kansas Cavalry joined 
us, and on the next day the Ohio Brigade, Col. Fuller commanding. 
Our entire column moved forward on the morning of the 23d, and 
crossed Cane Creek without opposition; the Rebels having fallen back 
to Little Bear Creek. Here General Dodge offered battle, bu^ they 
declined, and We bivouacked for the night. We moved forAvard again 
on the 24th, the enemy continually falling' back, not even making a 
feeble resistance at Little Bear Creek, although the position was a very 
strong one. 

On nearing the toWn of Tuscumbia, the enemy, under Forrest, left 
on the Decatur road. Col. Cornyn was ordered forward after them, 
with the 10th Mo. Cavalry, the 7th Kansas Cavalry, and the 1st Ala- 
bama Cavalry. Lieut. Col. Phillips, with two companies of Cavalry, 
two companies of 9th 111. Inft., viz: A and B, and two guns of Tam- 
rath's Battery, was ordered to move up to Florence, and capture the 
town. He proceeded to that place with his command. Arriving oil 
the bank of the river, opposite the town, and observing a small force 
of cavalry in Florence, he called to them to send him over a boat, as he 
desired to send over a flag of truce. They replied, telling him to go to 
that place, where I suppose but few, if any, desire to go. The Col. did 
not feel disposed, at least to obey their orders, and thinking he had 
that with which he could enforce obedience to his, he placed *his two 
rifled guns in position, and made a second demand for a boat. To this 
he received the same reply, as before. Immediately he opened upon 
them with his two guns, throwing shell into the town. The cavalry on 
the other side broke and run. As they passed up the street, a shell 
was thrown among them, killing one horse. In a very short time, 
white flags were hung out all oVer the town. In the meantime, a small 
raft had been constructed, oil Which a flag of truce was sent over, and 
the Mayor of the town made a formal surrender. The object of de- 
manding the surrender was, not that we might hold the place, but that 
we might ascertain whether the enemy had any considerable force there. 
The desired information being gained, the Col. evacuated it, and re- 
turned to the main force again. 

The remainder of our Regiment, and the battalion of the 15th 111. 
Cavalry, were ordered to move forward, within supporting distance of 



^f 



THE NINTH REGIMENT, 53 

Col. Cornyn. We moved forward luitil near night, and not being able 
to reacli him, we returned to Tuscumbia, and bivouacked. At 10 
o'clock that night, we received orders to move out rapidly and joiu 
Col. Cornyn, as he feared the enemy would come upon him, t^io strong, 
at daylight, his forces being very much exhausted. We reached him, 
beyond Leighton, by 2:30 A. M., on the 25th, and at daylight the whole 
force returned to Tuscumbia. 

Our Regiment turned over 200 mules to Col. Streight, on the 26th, 
to complete the mounting of his force, thus dismounting Companies C, 
D, E, Gr, H and K, of our Regiment, 

On the morning of the 27th April, we again moved forward, toward 
Decatur, to attract the attention of Forrest, until Col, Streight had 
moved entirely around his left flank towards Atlanta. We found the 
enemy posted at Town Creek, four miles beyond Lc-ighton. Some picket 
skirmishing took place before night. We bivouacked near the Creek. 
Early on the morning of the 28th, the Rebels having discovered the 
position of the dismounted companies of our Regiment, opened upon us 
•with schrapnel, compelling us to fall back hurriedly out of their range. 
The artillery kept up a constant firing all day, and after noon a part of 
the 81st Ohio and the mounted companies of the 9th 111, crossed over, 
at the Railroad bridge, and drove the enemy from their position. 

Col. Streight having now completely passed the enemy, our entire 
column moved on the return march, on the morning of the 29th April, 
Bivouacked for the night near Little Bear Creek. Reached Big Bear 
on the 30th, and were compelled to remain in camp there until the 
evening of the 1st of May, when a bridge having been constructed, we 
crossed over and proceeded up the Railroad to our old place of camping, 
four miles from Big Bear Creek. From there we proceeded on the 
main traveled road to Burnsville, reaching that pLice sometime after 
night, and bivouacked. On tlie morning of the 2d May, Lieut. Col, 
Phillips, with the four mounted companies, viz : A, B, I and F, was 
ordered to report to Col. Cornyn, commanding cavalry force, for an 
expedition to Tupelo. The rest of the Regiment moved forward, at 10 
A. M,, and reached Corinth by 2 P. M. 

During this trip the Regiment was out from camp 18 days, and had 
five engagements with the enemy — two on the 17th of April, one on the 
19th, one on the 27th, aiid one on the 4th of May. The great object 
of this expedition, was to divert the attention of the enemy until Col. 
Streight, who was fitting up an expedition for a grand raid into Georgia, 
should have time to complete the mounting of his men, and get well 
started pu his way. 



54 A HISTORY OF 

Lieut. Col. Phillips, with the four mounted companies of our Kegi- 
ment, having been ordered on an expedition to Tupelo, separated from 
the remaining companies atBurnsville, on the 2d of May, and proceeded 
to Tupelo. Had a skirmish with the enemy there, and rejoined the 
Regiment at camp, May 7th. 

Quartermaster Korn died of disease May 6th, 1863. Dr. Guelick 
and Captain Hawes were detailed on the 7th of May, the former to 
Fort Henry, and the latter to Memphis. Dr. Wm. A. Allen, 2d Assis- 
tant Surgeon, appointed by the Governor of Illinois, reported for duty 
on the 12th, and was mustered into the seiTice, to rank from that date. 

On the 13th of May, the Regiment moved into the barracks formerly 
occupied by the 39,th Ohio, one mile sout-east from Corinth. 

On the 15th of May, Brig. Geu. Thomas, Adjutant General U. S. 
Army, addressed the soldiers at Corinth^ announcing and advocating 
the policy of the Government in regard to freeing and arming the 
negroes. His remarks met with a hearty approval by nine-tenths of 
the soldiers at the military post of Corinth. 

May 26th, our Regiment being again all mounted, we were ordered 
to report to Col. Cornyn, commander of Cavalry Brigade, at 10 
A. M. Moved immediately thereafter, on the Corinth and Hamburg- 
road, toward Hamburg Landing. We reached that place and begaa 
to cross the Tennessee River about dark, the 0th 111. crossing over first- 
Our Regiment all got over by 2 A. M., of the 27th, and the remainder 
of the force by noon of the same day. At 1 P. M., the entire column 
moved forward on the road towards Florence, taking the most easterly 
route. Halted, for rest and feed, two hours at 1 o'clock, A. M:, of the 28th,. 
and then moved forward again eight miles North-east from Florence. 
A detachment of the 7th Kansas Cavalry destroyed two large Voolen 
factories, four miles from the city. We drove in the videttes of th« 
enemy, and when we we:re within one hundred yards of the town, they 
opened on. us with a battery of two gmre, throwing schxapnel with great 
accuracy, compelling us to move from the road,, by the left flank, into 
the timber, to avoid the deadly missiles. Col. Cornyn moved his 
howitzers rapidly forward, and soon silenced the Rebel guns. 

The 9th 111. was now dismounted arid thrown forward as skirmishers. 
The 1st Battalion, (Cos. A, B and C,) Lieutenant Ruhland command- 
ing, moving forward in column, as reserve. The opposition of the 
enemy did not amount to much, and we soon had possession of the town. 
Our loss was two wounded, and two captured. The enemy lost from 
ten to twelve killed and wounded, and sixty to eighty captured. After 
Bearching the town, and destroying all the stores of value to the enemy. 



F^ 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. 55 

we began out return march, taking the most westerly TO\itc, so as to 
destroy three largo cotton mills and two more large woolen mills, all of 
which we succeeded in doing without loss to us. At 1:^ o'clock, mid- 
night, we bivouacked until morning. The enemy disputed our entire 
advance from Florence to the place of bivouack, and then ceased to 
molest us. We reached the crossing opposite Hamburg, at 2 A. M., of 
the 30th May, when we bivouacked until morning. 

During the day the enemy appeared in force in our rear, before we 
had even our baggage across, and as Col. Cornyn had moved duwn to 
Savannah to relieve the 15th 111., Lieut. Col. Phillips assumed command, 
and moved out one-half mile from the river and oflfered battle, when 
the Rebels hastily fell back. We succeeded in all getting over by 2 
A. i\I. of the 31st, without further molestation. In the skirmish on 
the opposite side of the river, none of our men wtjre hurt. The enemy 
lost several in wounded and captured, none are known to have been 
killed. At 7 A. M., the 31st, the entire column move tmvard Corinth, 
and we reached camp there at 1 P. M. 

During this expedition, the Regiment was out six dnys, and engaged 
in two skirmishes with the enemy. The object of the expedition seemed 
to be the destruction of public property and stores which would be of 
advantage to the enemy. 

After leaving Hamburg Landing at 1 P. M., of the '2'i th May, tlie 
boys were in their saddles, or pack-saddles, as they then were, for about 
thirty-sis hours almost constantly, except the few hours they were in 
Florelice searching the hou.?esfor arms, and desti'oying stores that might 
be serviceable to the enemy. x\t 12 o'clock, on the night of the 28th, 
they halted, until early in the morning, when they wer« oif on the march 
again. The result of this raid was 64 prisoners captured, over 200 
negroes brought in, a large number of mules and horses captured, and 
about $3,000,000 worth of Factory property destroyed, • 

On the 3d of June, 1863, the Regiment received orders to be ready 
to move on the next morning, at 8 o'clock, with camp and garrison 
equipage. . Moved on the 4th, in accordance with the above order, in 
a North-west direction. Passed through Cherwalla, and bivouacked for 
the night about ten -miles west of it. The Tuscumbia and Hatchie 
Rivers had to be bridged, in order to cross the artillery and infantry. 
The entii;e Brigade were moving with us. These streams were bridged, 
the forces crossed, and we arrived at Pocahontas by 4 P. 31., on the 
I)th of June, and bivouacked in the town for the night. On the 7th, 
;the Regiment moved into camp one-fourth mile north of the town. • 

On the 8th of June, Lieut. Col. Phillips, with Companies A, E, H, 



56 A HISTORY OP 

F, Gr and I, moved south on a scout, and returned on tlie 9tli, at 1 P. M., 
bringing in a drove of cattle and sheep. The remaining companies of 
the Regiment went as an escort to a train of wagons, as far as the bridge 
on Tuscumbia Creek. 

On the 11th of June, Capt. Kneffner, with Companies A, C, E, H 
and I, moved North-west on a scout, and returned in the evening, 
having marched 40 miles, bringing in three prisoners. 

The Regiment, accompanied by one section of Tamrath's Battery,, 
moved south on the Ripley road, on the 12th of June, at 1 P M., and 
bivouacked for the night within ten miles of Ripley. Moved forward, 
early on the morning of the 13th, and took possession of Ripley without 
opposition. The town was searched, but nothing of a contraband nature 
was found, except a number of negroes, who were confiscated for the 
use of the Government. Moved on in the direction of New Albany. 
At Orizabo. the flankers on our left encountered a few Rebel soldiers, 
and after driving them off, burned the place, as it contained Rebel stores 
and was a place of rendezvous for them. While stopping to feed, about 
four miles south of Ripley, a family moving to Ripley came along. 
Their wagons artd carriage were searched, and a Rebel mail was found 
in the old lady's carpet-sack. Their horses and mules were all confis- 
cated, except one old team of mules which they were allowed to keep. 

The Regiment then proceeded to New Albany, reaching that place 
about 4 P. M. Finding the town nearly deserted by citizens, and used, 
as a general Headquarters for guerrillas, and a supplying point for them, 
it was entirely destroyed, after any stores of value that could be carried 
away were taken. 

We then moved back toward Ripley, on a different route from the 
one by which we had entered, going- three miles and bivouacking for 
the night. 

At 1 o'clock. A.. M., June 14th, Lieutenant Krebs and escort came 
into our bivouack from Pocahontas, with orders from Col. Mersy, for 
us to return as rapidly as possible to camp at Pocahoptas, as the enemy 
were planning to capture us. We moved at 2 A. M. Reached Ripley 
at breakfast time, and camp at Pocahontas at 8 P. M. x\.t daj'light 
this morning, the enemy, 1500 strong, reached our last night's bivouack. 
But fortunately we were safe but of their reach. It was fortunate for 
us, for our force numbered biit 300 men with two pieces of artillery. 

The Regiment was out three days on this expedition. It captured, 
and brought in, about 25 Rebel soldiers, 50 contrabands, and 100 head 
of horses and mules. It mai'ched over one hundred miles. 

On the 17th of June, the.; Regimeat agaia moved soutkigard, a.t S 



' <7> 

TIIE NINTH RECilMENT. 57 

P. M., with sis days rations. The night was rainy and intensely dark, . 
One section of Tamrath's Battery was with us, under Lieut. Bruncr. 
Marched all night in the dark and rain. It was such bad traveliiiir, 
that we only moved twelve miles by 'sunrise of the 18th. Halted and 
fed at old "Secession Hopkins','' where the Eegimeut had already fed 
four times. Reached llipley at 1 P. M., and found no enemy, but 
were told that 1,500 Rebels were moving around, to get between us 
and Pocahontas. We moved back two miles, and halted to feed. Here 
we were joined by 125 men of the 5th Ohio Cavalry, Major Smith 
commanding, and 180 of the 18th Missouri Mounted Infantry, com- 
manded by Lieut. Col. Sheldon. Our Avhole force now numbered a 
little over 600 : 5th Ohio Cavalry 125, 18tli Missouri Mounted Infan- 
try 180, Section of Battery 50, 9th 111. Mounted Inft. 275. Total, 630. 

Lieut. Col. Phillips, senior officer present, assumed command ofi'the 
whole force. We moved back five miles and bivouacked for the night. 
Finding no enemy, we moved forward again by daylight of the 19th. 
Passed through Ripley at 8 A. M., and New Albany at 2 P. M. Cap- 
tured Lieut. Col. McCarly of the 23d Mississippi, below Ripley. Drove 
in the videttes of the enemy at New Albany, and moved forward on the 
Pontotoc road. When within six miles of the latter place, Lieut. Col. 
Phillips having gone as far as his orders permitted him, moved five 
miles West, and then moved North towards Rockford. Marched until 
after midnight of the 19th, having to cross a terrible swamp, called the 
Octohatchie. We bivouacked for the night on a ridge between Octo- 
hatchie and Mud Creek. Moved forward again at 7 A. M., of the 20th, 
5th Ohio occupying the rear, and 18th Missouri the advance. While 
we were preparing a crossing of Mud Creek, the enemy, 3,000 strong, 
under Gen. Ruggles, made a furious attack upon the rear guard, but 
were most gallantly met and checked by the 5th Ohio Cavalry. Six 
companies of the 9th 111. Inft. were dismounted, and deployed as skir- 
mishers. They, and the 5th Ohio Cavalry, held the enemy in check 
for two and a-half hours, until the artillery had crossed the several most 
wretched fords of Mud Creek. One of the caissons getting stuck in 
the mud, we were compelled to leave one half of it there, and as it 
completely blocked up the crossing, we had to destroy the five baggage 
wagons that were behind it, to prevent their falling into the hands cxf 
the enemy; everything we could possibly save, being brought over the 
ford. We fell back rapidly, and got possession of Rocky Ford, before 
the Rebels got around, and succeded in crossing before they could 
molest us. 

Our loss in this engagement, was 5 killed and 18 wounded. The 



58 A HISTORY OF 

loss of the enemy couid not be definitely ascertained, but was not less 
than 200 in killed, wounded and missing. 

The place where this battle was fought, was a dense cane-brake. 
Men could not see each other more than a few feet. Our men could 
hear every command given by the Eebel officers, but could not see the 
enemy. 

After getting safely out of that terrible bottom, and crossing the 
Tallahatchie at Rocky Ford, we moved through Salem, on the 21st, and 
reached camp at Pocahontas, at noon of the 22d June. The Ecgiment 
was out six days, during this trip. Had to endure some very hard 
marching. Marched almost constantly, day and night. 

On the 23d of June, 2d Assistant Surgeon Dr. Allen, was ordered to 
report at LaGrange, Tenu., by Surgeon Gay, 3Iedical Director left wing 
16th Army Corps, and left for that place on the 24th. 

On the Gth of July, Companies A, C, E, F, G, H and I, under the 
command of Lieut. Col. Phillips, moved North-west on a scout, and 
retiu-ned on the 7th at noon, not having found any force of the enemy. 

On the 8th of July, the entire Regiment moved Northward, with 
three days rations, 35 miles, and returned on the 9th without finding 
any force of the enemy. Brought in a number of citizens as prisoners, 
with all the horses and mules, of any value, that could be found. 
Rabid secessionists followed after, pleading for their animals. Col. 
Phillips would tell them that he was a kind-hearted man, had a number 
of prisoners,) and did not wish to have them walk. Hence, Be must 
have their hoi-ses and mules. He expressed sorrow for the necessity. 
It is a question whether that sorrow Was very deep doinn, however, as 
he has no mercy on Rebels, and takes all the horses and mules from 
them, that he can place his hands upon, without miich trouble of 
conscience. 

On the 12th of July, the Regiment again moved in a North-west 
direction, with five days rations. Joined Col. Hatch's force from La 
Grange, North of Bolivar, and the combined force moved to Jackson, 
and on the 13th engaged a Rebel force there, under Forrest, Newsom, 
and Riffle. Our Regiment was dismounted as skirmishers. After 
brisk firing for one-qual-ter of an hour, we dislodged them. The cavalry 
then moved over the river and took the flank of the skirmish line. 
The right wing of our Regiment were recalled from their position on 
the South side of the creek, and placed in reserve of the left wing. 
We then moved rapidly forward, until within a few hundred yards of 
their fortifications, when we made a charge upon their works and drove 
them out, by a charge from our skirmish line. "We moved forward, 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. 59 

thinking that they had left. But when in the suburbs of the North 
side of the town, the Rebel cavalry came char<;inii; down on us from the 
North-east and East parts of the town. We quickly formed in line 
facing them, and went into them with a fierceness that they could not 
long stand. In about fifteen minutes they were driven entirely froiiji 
the field, and we advanced to their position. We captured a goodly 
number of horses and muskets they were compelled to leave. One 
Rebel Captain was found dead on the field. A prisoner who was cap- 
tured, said he was a notorious guerrilla chieftain, and hated by their 
own men. Said there would not be much sorrow for his death. The 
fighting in all lasted about two and a-half hours. 

We captured about 70 prisoners, 30 of whom were paroled, the re- 
mainder were brought into camp. Our loss was one killed and six 
wounded. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded, was about two 
hundred. The Regiment returned to camp about 1 P. M., of the 15th, 
having been out four days. 

On the 18th, six companies, under command of Lieut. Col. Phillips, 
started on a scout about dark, after a party of guerrillas who had made 
a dash upon some of the Home Gruards at Middleton, killing and taking 
prisoners several of them. They pursued them all night, in the direc- 
tion of Bolivar, but could not find them. Returned to camp "about noon 
the next day. 

On the 20th of July, the Regiment moved South, accompanied by 
two guns of Tamrath's Battery. At Hopkins we were joined by the 
11th 111. Cavalry, commanded by Major Kerr. Moved on to within 
three miles of Ripley, and bivouacked at the forks of the Nubbin Ridge 
and Ritckersville road. Two companies of Cavalry and two companies • 
of Mounted Infantry were sent towards Ripley to reconnoiter. Dis- 
covering no enemy, they soon returned. On the 21st, the command 
moved back seven miles to Ruckersville, and there awaited orders from 
Corinth. We moved forward again on the 22d, at 3 A. M. Halted at 
Ripley two hours. Captured two prisoners, and then moved back to 
camp at Pocahontas. 

The Regiment moved North-west, at daylight on the 2Gth of July, 
with eight days rations. It joined Col. Hatch's command, North of 
Bolivar, at 8:30 P. M., of the same day. After the Regiment was 
formed, before marching, a brief prayer was offered by the writer, who 
was then present with the Regiment. Bivouacked for the night, ten 
miles North of Bolivar. On the 27th, Lieut. Col. Phillips was ordered 
to the command of a Brigade, consisting of the 9th 111. Inft. and 3d 
Michigan Cavalry, and Captain Gr. Gr. Lowe took command of the 



60 A HISTORY OF 

Regiment. We joined Col. Prowitt's command at Lexington, Tenn., 
on the 28tli. Passed through Clarksville, a Union town, to-day. Had 
captured a goodly number of mules and negToes, and about 100 prisoners 
up to this date. Among the latter were two Colonels. Passed through 
Huntingdon on the 29th. A strong Union town. While stopped here, 
two daughters of Col. Hawkins of the 2d West Tennessee Cavalry, 
(loyal,) paraded the streets, carrying the stars and stripes. This was 
cheering to our boys. We lay over most of the 29th at Macedonia. 
Moved to Trenton on the 31st. Passed through a very rough country, 
and in a poor state of cultivation. From Trenton we proceeded South, 
towards Jackson, passing through Jackson on the 1st of August, and 
reaching camp at Pocahontas on the 3d of August, about 8 P. M. 

The Regiment was out, during this scout, nine days. Did cot have 
any engagements with the enemy. 

On the Gth of August, Companies A, C, D, E, Gr, H, I and K, under 
command of Lient. Col. Phillips, moved North-west of Bolivar, and 
returned on the 7th, without finding any forces of the enemy. 

On the 12th of August, at 10 P. M., the Regiment moved South, 
with six days rations. Marched all night, and halted at sunrise -and 
fed. At G A. 31., of the 13th, we were on the mai^h again. Took the 
road through Salem, passing that place about 4 P. M., and bivouacking 
for the night six miles beyond it. Moved forward again at daylight 
on the 14th, crossing the Tallahatchie at Rocky Ford, and bivouacking 
for the night. Moved West on the Oxford road, early on the 15th, 
reaching that place at noon. Here we joined a Brigade from LaGrange. 
Lieut. Col. Phillips assumed command of the Brigade, and moved on 
six miles beyond Oxford, on the CoflPeeville road, and bivouacked for 
the night. At daybreak, on the 16th, moved forward again. We were 
joined to-day, by a Brigade of Cavalry from dermantown and CoUier- 
ville, under the command of Lieut. Col. M. R. M. Wallace, who being 
junior ofiicer to Lieut. Col. Phillips, reported his command to him for 
orders. Lieut. Col. Phillips now assumed command of the whole force, 
consisting of two Brigades. Lieut. Col. Wallace had command of the 
1st Brigade, and Major Coon of the 2d. 

The whole force crossed the Tochamy River on a ferry boat, and 
reached Water Valley at 12 M. Here our advance captured a train of 
seven six-mule wagons, and a number of prisoners who were guarding 
the train. The 1st Brigade was so long delayed in crossing the river, 
that Major Coon, who had command of the 2d Brigade, did not leave 
Water Valley until 5 P. M. He then moved forward to within twa 



9^ 

THE NINTH REGIMENT. 61 

miles of CofFeeville, and bivouacked for the vemainder of the nijilit. It 
was 2 A. M., of the 17th, when we reached that point. 

A heavy storm of rain came on shortly ufter leavinj^ Water Valley, 
and the night became intensely dark. The darkness made it very diffi- 
cult to march at all. Often the mules, with tlieir riders, would tumble 
into the ditches. The 1st Brigade, commanded by Lieut. Col. Wallace, 
moved only one mile from Water Valley, when the darkness became so 
intense, that movements were almost impossible. The Brigade was 
consequently ordered into bivouack for the night. On the morning of 
the 17th, Lieut. Col. Wallace joined the 2d Brigade at Coffccville. 
The entire force now moved forward rapidly towards Grenada, the 11th 
111. Cavalry having the advance. When ten miles from Cofieeviile, six 
or eight locomotives and 40 or 50 cars were captured, and a guard 
phiced over them. When the advance were within four miles of 
Grentida, the Rebels fired the two large Railroad bridges over the 
Tallobusha, and befn-e we could reach them, they were completely 
destroyed. The 11th 111. Caralry was ordered forward, as rapidly as 
possible, to prevent the unnecessary destruction of property; and the 
entire 2d Brigade moved forward at a brisk trot. When within one 
mile of town, the 11th Cavalry were checked by about 300 of the enemy. 
The 9th 111. Inft. were dismounted and sent? forward as skirmishers- 
Soon after, the 2d Iowa and 3d IMichigan Cavalry went into the action. 
Orders were sent back to Lieut. Col. Wallace to hasten up his Brigade, 
and move forward with all possible dispatch. As soon as the Battery 
was placed in position. Col. Wallace was ordered to enter town, with hie 
Brigade, by the lower ford. The enemy not teplying to our Battery, 
]\Iajor Coon was ordered to charge across the ford, with the 2d Iowa 
Cavalry, and at the same time to ferry over a portion of the 9th 111. Inft. 
as a support, in case the enemy pressed him too hard. This force 
crossed and took possession of the town, without further opposition. 

The captures which we made, were as follows: 60 locomotives; 450 
cars, of all kinds; considerable stores, and $8,000 in Confederate scrip. 

As the enemy had burned the bridges across the Tallobusha. making 
it impossible to run off the rolling stock, the cars, locomotives, machine 
shops, depots, Commissary and Quartermaster buildings were fired, 
and destroyed. 

At 7 P. M., reports having come in that the enemy were returning 
to attack us in force, our entire Division, except the Picket and Provost 
Guard, were ordered to recross the Tallobusha, and bivouack, ready 
to fall in at a moment's notice. One hour later, Col. Winslow, com- 
manding a Brigade of Cavalry, from "Blackwater," entered the town 



62 A HISTORY OP 

from the South. He being the ranking officer, now assumed command 
of the whole force. His Brigade took possession of the place, and the 
whole force bivouacked for the night. 

The entire loss of our Division in the fight, was one man killed and 
two wounded. The 9th 111. Inft. had one man wounded. 

The 1st Brigade was so far in the rear, at the beginning of the action, 
that it was not engaged, except Perkin's Battery of Mountain Howitzers. 

The entire forces in Lieut. Col. Phillips' command, during this expe- 
dition, consisted ef the following Regiments, viz : 9th 111. Inft. (mounted) 

Captain KnefFner commtinding. 300; 2d Iowa Cavalry, Captain 

commanding, 200; 11th 111. Ciivalry, Major Funk commanding, 150; 
3d Michigan Cavalry, Major Hudson commanding, 200; Total, 2d 

Brigade, Major Coon commanding, 850. 9th 111. Cavalry, 

commanding, 250; 3d 111. Cavalry, Major Connor commanding; 200; 

4t)h 111. Cavalry, commanding, 300; TotaJ, "1st Brigade, 

Lieut. Col. Wallace commanding, 750. Total in Division. Lieut. Col- 
Phillips commanding, 1,600. 

The force of the enemy at Orenada, was between 1,500 and 2,500, 
and Avas under command of Col. Slemmer, Gen. Chalmers being, at the 
time, absent. Major Leath, Gen. Chalmers' Quartermaster, was cap- 
tured in Grenada, and with him the Confederate scrip mentioned above. 

During the action. Col. Winslow, with his Brigade, was in bivouack, 
within five miles of Grenada, and had he moved on the South rapidly 
at that time, we would have captured most of tl^e enemy, and his entire 
Quartermaster train of over 100 wagons. 

Lieut. Col. Phillips insisted on .pursuing and capturing, at least, their 
wagon train. But Col. Winslow was in command and not willing. 
Lieut. Col. Phillips then recpested permission to pursue with hi* 
command, but was refused. Havihg command, Col. Winslow ordered 
the destruction of property to cease. Hence, two locomotives, and about 
a dozen cars, were left on the North side of the Tallobuj-^ha, for the 
Rebels to run down produce from Water Valley and the country North 
of them. 

The entire command remained in bivouack on the 18th, and moved 
on the return march', at 5 A. M., on the 19th, taking the Oakland road. 
Bivouacked for the night, just across the Tochamy River. We moved 
forward again at 5 A. M., of the 20th. Ferried over the Tallahatchie, 
and bivouacked for the night seven miles North of it. Moved again at 
5 A. M., on the 21st. Col. Winslow and his command left us to-daj, 
for Memphis. Fed near Looxahoma. Bivouacked for the night, near 
Bucksnort. Moved at the same hour on the 22d. Lieut. Col. Wallace 



9(3 

THE NINTH KEGIMENT. 63 

with his commartd, turned to the left to-day, for his camp jtt Collierville. 
We passed tlirough Holly Springs about 4 P. M., to-day, and bivouacked 
seven miles North-east of town. This is a nice town, on an elevated 
situation, with some very fine buildings in it. Guards were placed at 
each of the houses. Many ladies made their appearance, as our boys 
passed along the street.- Some of them looked ou smilingly, while 
others manifested scornful contempt, in their very looks. ]iut what 
did our boys care for their scorn? They only smiled the more. 
The sight which the citizens beheld, as our forces passed, was no doubt 
to them a sore one. A long train of negroes, men, women and children, 
were accompanying us. At least $1,000,000 worth of property, aa 
slaves had formerly been rated, was leaving them. They had long been 
accustomed to regard these persons as the great source of their wealth. 
This war had been instigated for the purpose of riveting the chains of 
bondage more tightly upon these slaves. Many of them, perhaps, had 
been called upon to mourn the death of some dear friend, who had been 
slain in waging this war. They had thought thus to make more secure 
this species >of their wealth. But now they were compelled to see it? 
taking to itself Iccfs and fleeing away. 

- Our- boys arrived in camp at Pocahontas, on the 24th of August, after 
having been out thirteen days. They left camp with six days rations. 
Where did the other seven days rations come from? I' suppose none of 
the bo3's can tell ! Perhaps, if the smoke-houses and hen-roosts of the 
citizens along the way could speak, tliey might tell- Or, may be, even 
the citizens themselves, if any one should take the troatble to travel 
along and enquire of them, could tell. something about it. 

The expedition was certainly a gTand success. Some raids, about 
which much has been said and written, were of far less importance. It 
was a bold dash, of more than one hundred miles, into th(* midst of the 
"enemy's country. Our forces met on their own chosen ground, at least 
an equal, and it is thought, a greatly superior force of the enemy ; 
drove them from their position, after a smart skirmish; caiptui'ed a 
large amount of their stores, with about fifty prisoners. About 68,000,000 
worth of public property was destroyed. Destroyed because • two loag 
bridges on the Railroad had been burned by the enemy. About 500 
head pf horses and mules were captured. And at least 2,000 negroes 
were brought in with our forces; thus weakening the hands of our 
enemies, and obtaining that, by which to strengthen our own hands. 
These, as slaves were formerly valued, were worth at least §2,000,000. 
The entire Union loss was only one man killed and two wounded. Had 
there been a special correspondent with our forces, it would have beeu 



64 A HISTORY OP 

heralded in the newspapers with a flourish that might have resulted in 
a star on our worthy Lieut. Col. Phillips, who commanded the expedi- 
tion. The material, at least, was there. 

Charles Chevi, 2d Lieutenant of Company C, resigned, and his resig- 
nation was accepted, to take effect August 7th, 1863. 

August 2(jth, the Regiment was paid by JIajor W. H. Johnston, for 
the months of March, April, May and June. 

x\ugust 29th, Captains Kneff'ner and Robinson, and Lieuts. Roll- 
mann and Cowgill, were ordered to ^report to Col. Alexander, at St. 
Louis, for duty in the Invalid Corps. 

At the regular periodical muster and inspection, on the 31st of 
August, Captain Gr. Gr. Lowe acted as Inspecting and Mustering Officer- 
September 3d, 1S63, 1st Lieutenant Greorge W. Williford, was com- 
missioned and mustered as Captain of Company F. 

September 4th, 1863, Rev. Marion Morrison reported for duty, with 
commission as Chaplain of the Regiment. He was mustered in as such, 
to date from the 4th. 

On the 3d of August, 1863, 105 deserters, mostly from the 128th 
111. Inft., were assigned to duty in the 9th 111. Vol. Inft., and were 
transferred to the various companies, so as to equalize the strength oS» 
those comj^anies. 

On the 6th of August, Lieutenant McClure, commanding detachment 
of the 128th 111. Vol., reported his men, in compliance with orders from 
Headquarters 16th Army Corps, to the Regiment for duty. The de- 
tachment numbered 103 men, and were assigned, pro rata, to the several 
companies. Lieutenant Lenma, Adjutant of the 128th, was assigned 
to Company F, and Lieutenant Cooper to Company B, until further 
orders. In the order for consolidation, Lieutenant Lenina's name wai 
dropped, (ha having resigned,) and Lieutenant Cooper was transferred 
from Company B. to Company F. 

On the 16th of August, 1868, 1st Lieutenant Krebs received a com- 
mission as Captain of Company D, and Orderly Sergeant H. Weber as 
1st Lieutenant Company D, and both were mustered in from that date. 

When the writer reported to the Regiment for duty, on the 4th of 
September, as above noticed, the Regiment was in command of Captain 
Gr. (jr. Lowe, Lieut. Col. Phillips having been summoned to Memphis, 
as a witness before a court martial in the case of Lieut. Col. Bowen of 
the 10th Mo. Cavalry. Lieut. Col. Phillips was detained there for two 
or three weeks, and Captain Lowe continued in command of the Regi- 
imentj with credit to himself. 

After joining the Regiment, arrangements were made for regular 



9^ 



THE KINTH RBQIMENt^ 65 

p?«aching services on each Sabbath, and prayer-meetings on Sabbath 
and Wednesday evenings. I would here say, that v^e have been able 
notwithstanding the great amount of scouting duty the Regiment has 
had to perform, to hold our regular services on almost every Sabbath, 
up to the present time, except the few weeks I was absent from the 
Regiment, on orders, in Illinois. The Regiment had been without a 
Chaplain for about 20 months. For several Sabbaths we held our ser- 
vices under the shades of the trees in front of the Colouel's quarters. 
Soon, however, some of the soldiers volunteered their services, and 
erected a comfortable chapel, 40 by 24 feet, in which to hold our meet- 
ings. We had occupied this but a few Sabbaths, when we moved from 
our old camp at Pocahontas. 

During the first three weeks of September, from one to four compa- 
nies were out scouting., almost daily. Gen. Chalmers was concentrating 
a force South of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, to make a dash 
upon that road, and cut off communication between Memphis and 
Corinth. 

On the 27th of September, the Regiment, ui?.der command of Lieut. 
Col. Phillips, who had re-joined it, moved South toward New Albany. 
On arriving within six miles of that place, he found the enemy too 
strong for a further safe advance with the force he had, and returned 
to camp at Pocahontas on the 29th. 

On the 2d of October., the Regiment moved North on a scout. Found 
and engaged a small force of the enemy, on Forked Deer River. In 
this engagement. Private Peterson, of Co. K, was killed. Finding no 
more force of the enemy, the Regiment returned to camp at Pocahon- 
tas on the 4th of October. 

During the latter part of September and the first week in October, 
there was much talk that we would be removed, and take up the march 
somewhere. G-en. Sherman's forces from Vicksburg, were constantly 
passing towards Corinth, for two or three weeks. It was reported that 
they would take the place of the 16th Army ( 'orps in occupying Mem- 
phis and Corinth and the Railroad between them; and that our Corps 
would move into an active campaign. Thus we were kept, as soldiers 
often are, in suspense from day to day. Not knowing what a day might 
bring forth. In the meantime Sherman's forces passed on towards 
Chattanooga, and we were still in our old quarters. 

As the weather was now becoming too cold for the airy tents, which 

most of the Regiment occupied, the boys went to the timber, split 

boards, hauled poles, &c., and put themselves up comfortable quarters. 

Brick chimneys, left where houses had been burnt through the country, 

[5] 



66 A HISTORY OF 

were tern down and brought into camp, and neat little chimneys hnilt 
to their shanties. Thvis the boys were preparing for comfortably spend- 
ing the winter in their camp. 

On the 4th of October, commissions arrived, as follows: 2d Lieut, 
John Mallmanu, to be Captain of Company B; 2d Sergt. L. Grieser, 
to be 1st Lieut. Company IS; 1st Lieut. I. Clements, to be Captain? 
Company G; 2d Lieut. N". Gr. Pen-ine, to be 1st Lieut. Company Gy 
1st Lieut. S. T. Hughs, to be- Captain of " Company I; 2d Lieut. Wm, 
Paden, to be 1st Lieat. Company I; Com. Sergt. C A. Spatee, to be 
Regimental Quartermaster. Of the above, the following were ordered 
on duty, in their new rank, viz : Grieser, Clements, Perrine and Spatee. 

On the 6th of October, the Regiment, tmder command of Lieut. Col. 
Phillips, moved South towards Ripley, on the Jonesborough road, and 
bivouacked for the night at Ruckersville. Moved forward again at 
daylight on the 7th, and reached Ripley at 8:30 A. M., and at 9:30 
moved North-west towards Salem. When within five miles of that 
place, an advance was sent out, which ascertained that the enemy were 
in Salem about 3,000 strong. It was determined by Lieut. Col. Phillips, 
to attack them on the morning of the 8th, although his force did not 
exceed 400 men. Hence, early in. the morning, one company was sent 
rapidly forward, and drove in their pickets and developed their forces. 
This done and they fell back. Soon after, the Regiment move forward 
in force. Arriving at the town, it was found that Col. MeCrillis was 
there with his Regiment of cavalry, and that the Rebels had fallen back 
out of town. It was soon ascertained, hawever, thtit their falling back 
was not a retreat, but a pretense, and that they were preparing to attack 
us. Hence, the 0th III. Iiift. was dismounted and deployed as skir- 
mishers, and the two gans of Tamrath's Battery accompanying the 
Regiment, were placed in position, and opened upon the enemy. In a 
very short time the enemy made a vigorous effort to drive us, but 
failed. After engaging this vastly superior force for three hours, and 
our ammunition failing, we fell back on to tin? Railroad at LaGrange, 
and were reinforced. Five of our men were killed and twenty woundetl 
in this engagement. 

After reaching LaGrange, a dispatch was sent into camp, for all the 
men in camp fit for duty, to join the Regiment at that place. Kein- 
forcements were now secured and preparations made for driving the 
enemy back, or cutting off his retreat. On the lith of October, the 
Regiment, together with Col. Hatch's mounted force, moved South-west. 
Had an engagement with the enejiiy at Graham's Mills, and another at- 



^J^^ 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. 67 

Wyatt's, defeating them in both engagements and driving them South- 
ward, after severe skirmishing. 

Our entire mounted force was commanded by Col. Hatch, the Brigade 
by Lieut. Col. Phillips, and the Regiment by Captain A. G-. Ilawes. In 
tliese two last engagements, the 9th 111. lost one man killed and five 
wounded. 

The following is a list of the killed and wounded in the various en- 
gagements, since the Regiment was mounted on the 20th of March, 18t)3. 

Company A. — At Jackson, Tenn., Killed^ Konrad Schaeffer ; Wound- 
ed^ Sergt. Michael Hartweek, Privates Charles Harris and George 
Heiler. — 1 killed and o wounded. 

Company B. — Cherokee Bluifs, Miss., Wouiuhul., Gustar Blank; 
Mud Creek, Miss., John Snider; Salem, Miss., James Luston; Wyatt'e, 
Miss., /uY^ec/, William Tolivcr; Wounded, 1st Lieut. Louis Grieser, Pri- 
vate Wm. Crum. In all, 1 killed and 5 wounded. 

Company C. — Mud Creek, Miss., Killed^ Sergt. Charles Ehrlich, 
Private George Valler, Wounded, Sergt. Wm. Heser, and Private Eilb 
Menson; Jackson, Tenn., Sergt. Engen A. Hauke; Salem, Miss, Corp. 
Wm. Striegal, aud Private G. M. Smith; Athens, Ala., Samuel Spring. 
In all, 2 killed and 6 wounded. 

Company D.— Salem, Miss., Killed, G. W. Hatfield, Wounded, Chrst. 
Lambe. One killed and one wounded. 

Company E. — Mud Creek, Miss., Woxmdcd, Charles B. Fleming, 
Wm. M. Gei-y and Ephraim J. Tyler; Salem, Miss., Jas. Stewart and 
Wm. 3Iock. In all, 5 wounded. 

Company F. — Salem, Miss., Killed, Thos. Ellison. 

Company G. — Mud Creek, Miss., Henry Brown and Jonathan Hamp- 
ton; Salem, Miss., Wm. Chenen^orth and Jas. M. Newton. In all, 4 
wounded. 

Company H. — Salem, Miss., Francis M. Strickle, Ahiron I). Simons, 
Beuj. R. Felts; Florence, Ala., Wm. H. Neal. In all, 4 wounded. 

Company L— Mud Creek, Miss., Wounded, Lieut. S. T. Hughs, 
Chas. S. Patton; Grenada, Miss., S. P. Irwin; Jackson, Tenn., Oliver 
Hays ; Salem, Miss., Killed, E. K. Richards, Wounded, Richard Jordon ; 
Wyatt's, Miss., John Graham; Athens, Ala., M. D. Ilolcomb. In all, 

1 killed and 7 wounded. 

Company K. — Montazuma, Tenn., Killed, John M. Peterson ; Salem, 
Miss., John Q. Martin, Wonnded, Lieut. Ulen and Peter Hall. In all. 

2 killed and 2 wounded. 

A number of incidents of interest, occurred during the period covered 
by this chapter. 



68 A HISTORY OF 

When on a scout to Tupelo, the boys were feeding near the house of 
a citizen. A woman came to Col. Phillips to make complaints that one 
of her horses had been taken, and a negro man or two had left her and 
was following our forces away. The Col. very politely told her, (for 
he is always polite to the ladies, unless they cease to act the lady,) that 
he was sorry for her, but that it was his business to keep the Rebels 
out of that country, so that they might not molest peaceable citizens like 
her. In order to do this, he must have horses to mount his men. 
Hence, from military necessity he must take her horse. That more 
effectually to accomplish the work of clearing the Rebels out of the 
country, the Grovernment had resolved to arm the negroes and make 
soldiers of them. Hence, he must take her negroes also. Finding she 
could accomplish nothing by her entreaties with the Col., she was 
returning to the house, when she saw that they were taking her corn 
to feed their animals. Some of the boys were also chasing her chickens, 
and they were rapidly decreasing in numbers. She now set up a terrible 
lamentation, and commenced praying that God would send the Yankees 
out of the country. In the warmth of her petitions, she used the fol- 
lowing forcible language: "0, Lord, if you can't come yourself, just 
now, do send General Price with his great army, to drive these misera- 
ble Yankees out of the country." Until this petition was uttered, some 
of the boys felt a sympathy for her. But the utteratice of it, seemed 
to drive away both their sympathy and their gravity. The Col. finally 
sent an orderly, telling her to go into the house and finish her prayers. 

Another. When on a scout near Ripley, Miss., the Regiment were 
in camp, and, as usual, helping themselves to the contents of a corn- 
crib, that thereby they might strengthen their mules for the heavy 
duties laid upon them. A woman aj^peared, with the usiial cry, that 
she was a "poor lone widow, with six orphan children," and requested 
the Col. to leave her corn enough to make her bread until she could 
raise more. The Col. assured, her that they would leave her some corn; 
In a short time, one of the girls came out, with the cry, "0, Col., the 
soldiers are taking every bit of our corn, and we will all starve." The 
Col. gave orders to the Adjutant to have a guard placed at that woman's 
corn, and instruct it to see that some of that corn was left. The Ad- 
jutant detailed a guard. In the meantime, it had been ascertained that 
the family had a lot of wheat; and although it might be hard for a 
Southern family to live Avithout corn-bread, still it was supposed that 
if they had wheat-bread, they would not starve. Hence, as corn to feed 
upon was scarce, the Adjutant, in instructing the guard to see that 
some of that corn was left, gave him a knowing wink, which he well 



9C 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. 69 

understood. Some of the corn was left. But it was simply a little 
shelled corn in the bottom of the crib. One of the j^irls having made 
a reeonuoisance to the corn-crib, to see how things were getting along 
there, and made the discovery that it was all gone, came back running and 
crying, "Oh, mother, mother; they have taken every bit of our corn, 
and now we will have nothing to eat but wheat-bread. What will we do." 

Still another. It W9,g almost a daily, and often an hourly occurrence 
for citizens to visit the Col. at his Head Quarters, to endeavor to get 
back a horse or mule that had been captured. One day two ladies had 
visited him for that purpose. While they were engaged in reasoning 
the matter with him, dinner was announced. He invited them to go 
out and eat dinner with him. The invitation was accepted. The cook, 
or Doctor, or some one, expecting that they would be there for dinner, 
set a bottle of liquor on the ttible. After dinner was over, the Colonel 
politely invited them to take a drink. After some little hesitation, they 
each took their glass of liquor. The Colonel, always supplied with 
cigars, took his cigar-case from his pocket, and reached it to them. 
They each took a cigar, lit it at the cook's fire, and sat down and de- 
liberately smoked it. In the North, to smoke in the presence of ladies 
is considered the greatest impoliteness. Not so in the South, however. 

One more. When on the return from the raid to Grenada, IMiss., 
the Regiment passed through Holly Springs. There was some appre- 
hension that there might be a disposition on the part of some of the 
soldiers to fire the town, owing to treatment received from the citizens 
on a former occasion. Hence, a guard was placed at each house, until 
the forces should pass through. Surgeon Gulick desiring some water 
for sick men, started to go into a yard to get it, but the guard would 
not allow him to pass in. He handed his canteen to a colored 
man in the yard, requesting him to fill it with water. While he was 
doing it, a woman came from the house, much excited. Coming towards 
the Doctor, she inquired, "Is there a Mason here?" 

Doctor. — "Why, madame, what do you wish?" 

3Iad. M. — " I am the widow of a Mason. I wish to know if there is 
a Mason here. I wish protection." 

Doctor. — " Madame, you had better go into the house. You do not 
need protection. There is a guard around your house." 

During this conversation, a chicken, from some cause ran through 
the fence into the street. A soldier started after it, to catch it. The 
Doctor's companion seized a long club, and quickly got over the fence 
and after the soldier. Unobserved, she came upon him, when about to 
cateh the chicken, and struck him a heavy blow over the head. This 



70 A HISTORY OF 

he did not resist, as it was from a woman. But after the second blow, 
he supposed that "forbearance ceased to be a virtue," even if a woman 
was involved. The Doctor says he was scared when he saw her seiz© 
the club and climb the fence. He supposed she was coming at him. 

Still another. At the same time and place with the last, a lady whose 
horse had been taken, came out to Col. Phillips, very pleasant, and 
announced herself as a daughter of Gen, Bradshaw; took the Colonel's 
horse by the bridle, and told him that she would be servant for him, 
and he had to submit to having her lead his horse up to her gate. She 
invited him to go in and have something to drink. He could not well 
refuse her invitation, even if he had desired to. Once in the house, 
she told him that she had both wine and whisky. Said she did not know 
how it was with oar officers, but theirs all preferred the whisky. Tlie 
Colonel told her that he would not be an exception, and so helped hin*- 
self to a portion of the whisky. 

Another one yet. During the raid on Florence, when the town was 
being searched, and contraband goods taken, tobacco and wine were 
both regarded as contrabands of war. Considerable quantities of both 
were found in the town. Dr. Allen tells of one soldier whom he saw 
with three boxes of tobacco on his mule before him. Having more 
than he could well carry, and meeting a citizen on the street, proposed 
to give him a box. Another, whom he met, had three or four boxes 
of bottles of wine on before him. Being rather overburdened, he made 
a present of one box to the Doctor, which he accepted, I suppose, as 
Kosjyltid stores. 

Another on Dr. Gulick. I hope the good natured Doctor will par- 
don me for using his name so frequently in this connection. When ola 
the return march from the raid to Grenada, Miss., as has been stated, 
there was a drove of about 2,000 negroes followed the returning columu. 
They were of all ages, and both sexes. Old grey headed grandfathers 
and grandmothers were there. Men and women in the vigor of life 
were there. Prattling little boys and little girls were there. Suckling 
babes were there also. This great crowd of colored people were there, 
gome of them pretty well clad, others almost naked. It is described as 
a sight sufficient to touch the heart of any one. Mothers were there, 
traveling on foot a journey of 75 to 100 miles, carrying their infant 
children. Two or three of these mothers, overcome with traveling to 
keep up with a mounted force, carrying their children, actually laid 
them down by the road side, and pressed on to liberty. "Can a mother 
forget her sucking child?" Some of these poor creatures seemed 
"willing to leave their children behind, rather than be left themselves. 



97 



THE 'NINTH REGIMENT. 71 

hoping, perhaps, that some "good Samaritan" would -care for them. 
The Doctor, kind-hearted man, finding one of these little ones, alighted 
and picked it up, and as some of the boys passed him, was dandling 
the child. He placed it in his ambulance, and when they halted, he 
found its mother. All praise to the Doctor for this humane act. 

Another fact, elosely connected with this .rebellion, for tJie suppres- 
sion of which oar llegiment has so nobly contended. While in camp 
at Pocahontas, the writer took the pains to ascertaia some facts with 
reference to the edixcatiou of the citizens. When we had been in camp 
about three mouths, I called at the Provost Marshal's office, and ascer- 
tained that 1,520 citizens had taken the oath of allegijunce, that they 
might make purchases of coffee, salt, &c.' from oyr- Commissary. Of 
the above number, just 300 could write their own names. The other 
1,220 had to have their uames written and make their mark. At another 
point where the Hegiment was in eamp, on the Tennessee Ptiver, out of 
ol3 who took the OiitJi in one day, only 13 could write their own names* 
The remaining oOO liad to make their mark. 

Now, looking at these facts, and if thej are anything like an approxi- 
mation even, to the state of society in the South, need we any longer 
wonder at this rebellion? A few well informed and designing leaders 
can go into a community, such as the above facts indicate, and influence 
its inhabitants to almost any cour.se of action they may desire. 



CHAPTER VII. 

FROM TKE TIME OP LEAVING POCAHONTAS TO THE PRESENT. 

Orders to move camp — 3[arcli to Easiport — Regiment detmhed for 
scouting duty — From Eastport to Pulaski — Pulaski to Athens — 
Scouting along the Tennessee — Going into quarters — Roddj/'s Paid — 
Scout helow Florence. 

As stated in the preceding chapter, there had been much said about 
-jQur lieaiment leaving camp and being thrown out into an active cam- 
paign; that that exitement had passed away, and the boj^s had prepared 
themselves with comfortable quarters iii which to si>end the winter. 

When thus comfortably fixed for living during the winter, orders 
<3ame for the Regiment to be ready to move ou the morning of October 
SOth. Thus the comfortable little dwellings prepared by the boys; the 
'Chapel prepared for our religious services; the new hospital just finished, 
and such like comforts .were all left behind. But such is the commou 
lot of soldiers. They have a very uncerbiiu life before theui. They 



T2 A BISTORT 0P 

know not to-day, where they shall be on to-morrow. The order "was to 
conduct a Battery to Corinth. Whence, from there, we knew not. 

The morning of October 30th came, and with it heavy clouds, threat- 
ening rain. Baggage must be packed up. Tents m?ist be struck. 
Wagons must be loaded. By about 82 A. M., all was ready, and we 
were on the march. About the time we started, it commenced raining, 
and rained heavily all day. This made it difficult for the Battery 
wagons to proceed rapidly. Came to Cypress Creek and bottom. The- 
stream was very difficult to cross. There was a swampy bottom', of 
three miles, which we had tOi cross. The Battery did not get through 
it that night, but camped irt the- bottom. The right wing of the Regi- 
ment moved out to the ridge beyond, and there awaited the arrival of 
Battery and left wing. It being found they could not get through that 
sight, all went into bivouack until morning. At an early hour on the 
vujorning of the 31st, the Regim^ent and Battery were on the move. 
We reached Corinth about 1 P. M., of the 31st. Here we were relieved 
as escort to the Battery. Went iato camp in the barracks lately occu- 
pied by the 50tk 111. Regiment. Here we remained until the morning, 
of the od of November. 

On the 2d of November, we were mustered for pay. Received orders- 
en the 2d, to move the next morning, as escort to a train, to luka. 
Orders were- issued regulating the orxler of march. There was a train 
of abovtt 200 wagons and ambulances. The advance was ordered tO! 
move at 4 A. M., and the rear at G A. M. The whole was under com- 
mand of Lieut. Col. Phillips. Such was the promptness with which he 
had each part of the colmjitn to occupy its position j. that when the rear 
moved, and he went to the telegraph office to dispatch to Gen. Dodge 
that all were moving, it lacked ten minutes of six o'clock. Moved on 
steadily until noon. Halted one hour to water and rest. At 5 P. M., 
we reached luka, a distance of 25 miles. It was regarded a very speedy 
trip for so long a train. We bivouacked for the night, near luka. On 
the morning of the 4th of November, we moved at 10 A. M., as eseort 
to a train of 150 wagons^, to the crossing of the Tennessee River at 
Eastport. We arrived at Eastport at 2 P. M. 

Gen-. Dodge's orders to Lieut. Col. Phillips, commanding the 9tft 111. 
Inft., was, that immediately upon his arrival at Eastport, he should leave 
the train, together with his own Reginiental teams on this side, and 
ferry the Regiment across the river, so as to be ready to move as early 
as practicable on the following day. The Regiment was all across by 
about sundown, and bivouacked one half mile from the river. 

Our Regiment, Lieut. Col. Phillips eommanding, was osdeied oa 



9-% 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. 7S 

detached duty, and thus separated from the 2d Brigade, to which it 
properly belonged. 

I might here state that the whole of the 2d Division of the IGth 
Army Corps, under command of G-en. Sweeney, Gen. Dodge being the 
department commander, had taken up the march from Corinth on the 
2d and 3d of November, and was engaged in being ferried acrojss the 
Tennessee River at Eastport. 

Gen. Dodge's order, detaching the 9th 111. Inft., assigned it to scouting 
and foraying for animals. The Division teams needed recruiting. 
Horses and mules must be procured in the country through which wo 
were about to march, for this purpose. Gen. Sherman had lately 
marched his army through the same country, and it was very naturally 
supposed that animals would be scarce. Hence, a part of the order to 
our Regiment was to gather up all the horses, mules, cattle and sheep 
that could be found in the country. It was further ascertained that 
portions of Rebel cavalry had crossed North of the Tennessee River, to 
annoy our forces on their march. Hence, an additional duty assigned 
to the 9th 111. was to make reconnoisances and watch the movements 
of the enemy. 

On the night of the 4th, Lieut. Col. Phillips issued orders to be 
ready to move at 6 A. M., the next morning. He also issued orders 
detailing one non-commissioned officer and six men from each company 
for foraging purposes, and instructing the foragers to bring in all horses, 
mules, cattle and sheep that could be found on our route. All soldiers 
were forbidden to leave the ranks, except such as were detailed for 
that purpose. 

On the morning of the 5th of October, the Regiment was on the 
march by daybreak. Took the Flarence road, for about three miles- 
Turned North, and traveled about ten miles through a poor, rough, 
broken country. Halted to make inquiry as to the country. Found a 
good Union man, with a clever family. Had the old man to go with 
us, as a guide. The Regiment here separated and traveled two different 
roads. About noon the flankers of the right wing were fired on, near 
a house. A number of shots were fired. Several horses and some 
cattle were taken. Halted to feed, two hours. During that time the 
left wing came in. All having fed, we took up the march again. Pro- 
ceeded in the direction of Florence. Bivouacked for the night, after 
dark, about 14 miles from Florence. It had rained almost constantly 
during the day. Was still raining some when we halted. There was 
a fair prospect for a disagreeable night for laying out. But it did uc«t 



74 A HISTOUT OP 

rain much during th-e night. We brought in two men as prisoners, and 
about forty head of horses and mules, with some cattle. 

November 6th, the Regiment moved at sunrise, bearing South. At 
2 P. M., we came into a rich country. Plantations large; abundance 
of negroes ; stock was plenty, which was gathered up. At many of the 
plantations we would collect 20 or 25 mules. Halted two or three 
hours and gathered up stock and fed. We then moved five or six 
miles West, and bivouacked for the night near a house owned by a large 
planter. The woman applied for protection. No one was allowed to 
«nter the house. Negroes came in from different plantations. Through 
them we gathered much information as to the whereabouts of stock. 
Did not leave camp until about 11 A. M., of the 7th November. Sent 
out companies in different directions, to forage for stock. Succeeded 
in gathering a large amount of it. We were here South of the road 
leading from Eastport to Florence. We had crossed that road on the 
afternoon of the 6th. 

During both the days we were out, we could frequently hear of forces 
of the Kebel cavalry on the North side of the river. They were often 
verj^near us, but always kept out of our way. 

November 7th, at 11 A. M., we took up our march to strike the 
Florence road, hoping to meet the Brigade. We met them, and reported 
300 head of horses and mules, 250 head of cattle, and 200 head of 
sheep, Avhich we brought in and turned over. We met the column 
about 2 P. M., and bivouacked near a large brick house, residence of 
Captain Boggs. 

The Kegiment was now ordered to draw five days rations, and scout 
on the left flank of the advancing column. The main column, consist- 
ing of the 2d Division, 16th Army Corps, proceeded in the direction of 
Pulaski, Tenn., leaving Florence about eight miles to the right. On 
the march Col. Mersy, commanding 2d Brigade, had orders to burn a 
!arge Cotton Factory, which was being run by orders from the Southern 
Confederacy. The factory, together with the raw cotton,' was worth 
about $100,000. The whole establishment was consigned to the flames 
on the morning of the 10th of November. 

When the 9th 111. Inft. left the advancing column, on the morning 
of the 8th, it proceeded in the direction of Waynesboro, and bivouacked 
twelve miles North-east of Waynesboro, and twenty miles from Gravelly 
Springs. Moved forward again early on the morning of the 9th, and 
inarched thirty-five miles, bivouacking near Lawrenceburg. We moved 
again on the morning of the 10th, traversing the country to see that Uq 
Kebel forces were there to molest the column. We passed through 



"^9 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. 75 

Mt. Pleascant. Bivouacked for the night five miles from Cohiinbia, 
near the residence of Bishop (now Rebel General) Polk's residence. 
On the morning of the 11th, moved into Columbia, and proceeded in 
the direction of Pulaski, Tenn. Bivouacked two and a half miles from 
Pulaski. On the morning of the 12th, moved into Pulaski, and joined 
the column. 

During this scout of four days, part of our business still being to 
collect stock, we brought in 500 head of horses and mules. Passed 
through some very fine and well improved country. There was no 
opposition met from the enemy, worth noting. 

From the time of leaving camp at Pocahontas, up to our arrival at 
Pulaski, we supposed (at least the uninitiated) that our whole force 
was moving ou in the direction of Chattanooga, and that was our desti- 
nation. We expected soon to reach that place and take ptyt in th« 
gi-eat battle pending there. But on arriving at Pulaski, Gen. Dodge 
established his Head Quarters there, and his command were stationed 
along the Railroad running from Nashville to Decatur, to repair the 
road for use. The 2d Brigade, with the exception of the 9th 111. Inft., 
went into camp at Pulaski. The 9th was still ordered on detached 
duty, and sent to establish. a post at Athens, Alabama. 

On the afternoou of the 12th of November, we moved South of 
Pulaski, along the line of the Railroad, and bivouacked nine miles from 
Pulaski, near where the Ohio Brigade were in bivouack. Here the 
men were ordered to draw five days rations, in their haversacks. They 
were also notified that our train and baggage would be left behind, and 
to make a change of clothing if they desired it. 

On the morning of the 13th of November, we moved at daylight, 
Southward, leaving our wagons, baggage, and hospital to proceed with 
the Ohio Brigade to Prospect, where that Brigade was to be stationed. 
At Prospect, we forded the Elk River. When the advance reached 
the river, and were looking for a ford, some Rebel soldiers were seen 
on the opposite side, and fired upon. They interposed no obstacle to 
our crossing, however. After crossing the river, one battalion, under 
command of Captain Lowe, proceeded by a circuitous and Westerly 
route. The remainder of the Regiment proceeded by the direct route 
to Athens, Ala., arriving there before sunset. A few miles North of 
the town, one man of Company G, was taken prisoner when out foraging, 
by a few Rebel soldiers who were in the neighborhood. A small force 
of Rebel cavalry had occupied Athens on that day, but they speedily 
left on our arrival. The advance of our column came very rapidly into 
town, pursuing the party who had captured our man. They were 



70 A HISTORY OF 

pursued some distance tlirougli tlie town. On onr arrival, Lieut. Col. 
Phillijjs, who was in command of the llegiment during the entire march, 
took possession of the town. Captain I. Clements was appointed as 
Provost Marshal, with his Company (Gr) as Provost Gruard. Captain 
Lowe, with his battalion, reached Athens sometime after dark. 

The Regiment went into bivouack in different parts of the town. 
Col. Phillips made his Head Quarters in the Court House. 

On the morning of the 14t.h of November, the entire Regiment, un- 
der command of Lieut. Col. Phillips, moved South towards Decatur. 
Proceeded to the bank of the river opposite Decatur, and reconnoitered 
the position. Found the Rebels were occupying the town, and had a 
Battery of two guns. We moved back two miles, halted and fed. 
Parties were sent in different directions to reconnoiter. The entire 
Regiment returned to Athens the same evening, and bivouacked as on 
the previous night. 

On the morning of the 15th of November, the Regiment moved out 
one mile North-east of town, and went into camp. Here we remained 
until the morning of the ISth, simply sending out single companies 
each day to reconnoiter. 

One object of our expedition was to examine the condition of the 
Railroad and telegraph line. On leaving Pulaski, Lieut. Oats, with 
twelve men, was detailed for that purpose. He proceeded along the 
line of the Railroad from Pulaski to Decatur, examining carefully its 
condition. The writer was requested by Lieut. Col. Phillips to accom- 
pany him, and report the condition of the telegraph. We were often 
separated two or three miles from the main column. 

On the evening of the 17th, a portion of the teams came down from 
Pulaski, with five days rations, and returned to Prospect the next 
morning. 

On the morning of the 18th November, the entire Regiment moved 
West, in the direction of Florence. Crossed Elk River, fifteen miles 
West of Athens, and halted to feed. During the afternoon of this day, 
when near Rodgersville, the advance were fired upon by a squad of 
Rebels, who broke and ran. No one hurt. Two companies moved 
rapidly down to the Tennessee River, at Lamb's Ferry, hoping to 
capture the boat. But it was on the other side of the river. Moved 
West on the Florence road, and bivouacked for the night nine miles 
West of Rodgersville. 

November 19th, we moved at daylight, Westward on the Florence 
road. At Shoal Creek bridge the advance encountered and chased 
some Rebels, who seemed to be guarding the bridge. Proceeded rapidly 



/^// 



THE NINTH REOIMENT. 77 

with two companies, to Bambvidge Ferry, six miles above Florence, and 
captured the ferry-boat. The Rebels opened fire from the opposite side 
of the river. Our two companies were deployed as skirmishers, and 
returued tbe fire. A brisk fire was kept up for one hour, until the 
boat was destroyed, when we started on our return march, lie-crossed 
Shoal Creek. Halted and fed. Mounted and continued our return 
march. Bivouacked for the night West of Elk Eiver. 

We moved again early on the morning of the 20th of November, and 
returned to Athens about 12 31. Proceeded through town, on the 
Decatur road, about six miles, halted and fed. From this point four 
companies returned to Athens, and occupied our old camp. The re- 
mainder 'of the llegiment proceeded to Moorsville. Found a force 
occupying that place, and returned to camp at Athens on the 21st. On 
the afternoon of this day, we moved our camp South-west of town. 

The country having been completely explored, and considering there 
was no immediate danger from the enemy, the Col. Sent for our teams 
and baggage. They arrived on the evening of the 21st, and the boya 
were glad to have a change of clothing. 

I would here say, that upon our first coming to Athens, it was not 
deemed prudent to remove any baggage here, except such as could be 
carried on our animals. Our llegiment was sent down here all alone, 
in the midst of an enemy's country. No one knew the exact strength 
of the enemy. It was fifteen miles to Prospect, where our nearest 
forces wei'e. The Elk River intervened, and was often past fording. 
At that time there was no way of crossing it, except on a very small 
boat which would only carry one wagon. It was a hazardous position 
We occupied, at best. There was a heavy force of Rebels South of the 
Tennessee River. There Were a number of ferries for crossing at 
different points. But having reconnoitered the country, and destroyed 
several of the enemy's ferries, it was thought our train might be brought 
down with safety. 

From the time we left camp at Pocahontas, until our train was 
brought down, we had been out 23 days, and on the march nearly all the 
time. During this time, we had with us no tents or covering of any kind, 
except such as we carried on our animals. We would march all day, 
often making 40 and 45 miles, and then lay down on the ground at 
night, with no covering but our blankets. During this time, we marched 
over 400 miles. 

When our train arrived, and our camping ground was determined, 
we had no tents, which could be quickly spread for a shelter. Most 
of the boys were under the necessity, for several nights, of doing as 



T8 A HISTORY OF 

they had done, sleeping iu the open air. Soon lumber was procured, 
from the fence around the Fair Grounds and the buildings it contained, 
and unoccupied stables and fences, with which to build shanties. But 
we had no nails, and this country could furnish none. But where there 
were buildings and fences, there were nails, and the old nails were pre- 
served, and thus the boys built their houses. After a time, they were 
quite comfortable in them. The work of building "New Athens" was, 
however much retarded by the fact that several companies of the Regi" 
ment were almost constantly out on scouting duty. But ere long their 
houses were finished, with comfortable fire-places attached. 

As I have stated above, Lieut. Col. Phillips, with the 9th 111. Inft.^ 
was detached, and sent to Athens to establish a post. It wa^a strange 
krnd oi jwst for two or three weeks. Much was said about "Col. 
Phillips' circulating post." After we were settled down in our camp, 
however. Col. Phillips formally assumed command of the post, with hia 
Head Quarters in town, leaving Major Kuhu in command of the Regi- 
ment. Still thepr^s?, or its head, was rather circulatory; for whenever 
the Regiment was out on a scout of any considerable importance, the 
Col. was sure to go along. 

It devolved upon our Regiment not only to hold its post at Athens, 
but to guard the crossings of the Tennessee River for a distance of not 
less than fifty miles iu length. Consequently, there was a great amount 
0^ scouting duty to perform. Almost daily, the various crossings of 
the Tennessee River, between Decatur and Florence, were visited by 
portions of our Regiment, and the ferry-boats either destroyed or 
captured. 

On the 28th of November, three companies, under command of Lieut 
Col. Phillips, moved West at 11 P. M., on the Florence road, and 
. crossed Elk River, in search of some Rebel cavalry said to have crossed 
the Tennessee River that evening. He came upon and captured a 
squad of fifteen of them. Not finding any more force, he was return- 
ing to camp the next morning with his prisoners, when he was met by 
a dispatch from Gen. Dodge, stating that a large body of Rebels had 
crossed about Florence, and ordering him to reconnoiter and watch 
their movements, and develop their strength. A squad of men were 
sent in with the prisoners, with orders for one company more to' join 
him. He had gone out with only one days' rations. The company 
that joined him could not carry rations to him, for we were short in 
camp. Our teams had gone to Pulaski for rations. The Division 
teams from Columbia had not arrived with rations, as expected. Our 
teams were detained there several days. But the boys of the 9th are 



THE NINTH KEGIMENT. 7* 

not likely to starve, wlien tliere is anytl\iii<,' in tlie country around 
them to eat. 

The first night they camped near the town of Eodgersville. Tht 
Col, sent orders to the diflFerent houses in town, requiring each to sup- 
ply a certain number of rations of corn bread. Some demurred, saying^ 
they had nothing of which to make bread. A second order was scntj. 
that if it was not provided in such a length of time, he would burn their 
houses. This brought corn bread in abundance, but not of a very fin» 
quality. The next night they camped near a good supply of sweet 
potatoes, to which they helped themselves. The following day they 
came across a store of Kebel commissaries, and were thus further pro- 
vided. They were out four days. Came upon a body of Rebels, of 
whom they captured about thirty. When pursuing them, Col. Phillips 
was chasing his man^ and made a sabre stroke at him, cutting him over 
the head. About that time, the Col.'s horse fell, and threw him on his 
face on the frozen ground. He captured his man, however. 

On the 25th of January, 1864, Companies B, C, D, F, H, I and Kr 
under command of Lieut. Col. Phillips, mov.ed out on a reconnoisanoe 
West. This left but three companies in camp. Company A was doing 
picket duty. Company Gr was acting as Provost Guard, and stationed 
in town. This left Company E in camp alone. News of the weakness 
of our force was immediately carried over the river, and .(Ten, Eoddy 
notified of it. Consequently, early on the morning of the 2Gth of 
January, about 4 A. M., our camp was attacked by Gen. Roddy, with 
700 men and two pieces of artillerj^ The pickets on the West of our 
camp were fired upon. Company E moved out promptly to support the 
pickets, when they met the overwhelming force of the enemy. After 
a brief engagement, and finding the strength of the enemy, this company 
fell back into town, to co-operate with Company G. This gave the 
Rebels possession of our camp. They plundered it of all the baggage 
and valuables. Our men were .pursued into the town, the Rebels 
occupying the Southern part of the town, and our boys the Northern 
part. The Rebels also placed their artillery in position, and began to 
shell the town. After a smart skirmish of about forty minutes, the 
enemy retreated, and returned towards the river. This they did, 
although they numbered ten to our oue. 

The loss of the 9th, in this engagement, was two men wounded, viz: 
Spring, of Company C, (since dead,) and Holcomb, of Company I. One 
man, not a soldier, but an employe of our Surgeon, was shot in the 
hospital yard, although entirely unarmed. The enemy admit a loss of 
six killed and eighteen wounded. Three of our boys pursued them, 



80 A HISTORY OP 

and fired upon tliem wlien a short distance from tlie river, killing one 
and wounding two. They returned to camp safely, except that they 
lost their horses. 

The officers lost all their baggage and effects, except such as they 
had with them. So with the men. 

On the 28th, seven companies, under command of Lieut. Col. Phillips, 
moved West on the Florence road. Bivouacked for the night, eight 
miles East of Florence. 

Early on the 29th, moved into Florence, chasing some Rebel soldiers 
from the town. Passed on twelve miles West of Florence, to Pride's 
Ferry. Here we had a sight of some Rebels, but they made good their 
•escape. We destroyed a factory and mill in this region. Captured a 
train of about twenty wagons with their teams. 

Near this Ferry lives a man named Woods, who is living with a 
negro woman as his wife. To this Woman he had a large number of 
children, whom he was holding as slaves. He was holding about forty 
of his own children as slaves. The Regiment foraged heavily upon 
him. About 3 P. M., we started on the return march, and bivouacked 
four miles from Florence. In this region, large numbers of negroes 
came in, and followed the Regiment on its return march to Athens. 

On the morning of the 30th, moved towards Athens, and bivouacked 
for the night. West of Elk River. On the 31st, reached camp at 
Athens. 

The Regiment was out, during this expedition, four days. It brought 
in about 500 negroes, men, women and children; 150 head of horses 
and mules, and 100 head of cattle, besides a train of 20 wagons. 

On the 15th of February, the Regiment, under command of Lieut* 
Col. Phillips, moved to the Tennessee River, at Lucas & Brown's Ferry. 
The Regiment remained in bivouac during that entire week. Their 
work was patroling the river for ten or fifteen miles above and below 
Decatur, capturing flat-boats and ferry-boats, constructing canoes, &c. 
The weather was very cold. They had no shelter. Had to work much 
about the water, and withal, it was a very hard week's duty. The 
Rebels were occupying the other side of the river, and there was almost 
constant firing at each other across the river. Lieut. Oats, of Co. K, 
was in a flat-boat with fifteen men, when he was fired upon by about 
twenty Rebels, at close range. One man of Co. I was severely wounded. 
The fire was returned, and it is thought, from the noise, several of the 
enemy were killed and wounded. The Lieutenant captured four Rebel 
prisoners. 

The Regiment returned to camp on the 20th, leaving two companies 



/ r' V 

THE NINTH REGIMENT. 81 

0' 

to patrol tlie river and guard our boats. During the week of boat 
captitting, one flat-boat captured above Decatur "ran the blockade" 
past the town, with three of our boys in it. They lay down flat, and 
let it float. M.tny incidents of interest occurred during this week, but 
I have not room to note them here. 

On the 22d of February, the 39th Regiment Ohio Infantry arrived 
at Athens, and went into camp. Col. Noyes, of the 39th Ohio, assumed 
command of the post, relieving Lieut. Col. Phillips, who again assumed 
command of the Regiment. 

From the 20th of February, up to the 7th of March, two eompaniea 
of the 9th 111. was kept constantly at the Tennessee River, patroling it 
for sevei'al miles below Decatur. These companies were relieved every 
two days, by others. In the meantime several other regiments passed 
through Athens, on their way towards Decatur. These were the 63d 
Ohio, 27th Ohio, 43d Ohio, and 111th Illinois, with the 4th Michigan 
Battery. 

The Railroad was completed about the last week of February, and 
the cars commenced running through from Nashville. Soon boats to 
construct a pontoon bridge at Decatur, commenced passing on the cars. 
Gen. Dodge, who commands the department, was below. Active prepa- 
rations were being made for occupying Decatur. To do this, the 
Tennesse River must be crossed, in the face of an opposing foe. The 
enemy was occupying Decatur, and the South bank of the river at the 
various ferries below. 

The Regiment was paid, by Major Gregory, on the 2d of March, 
1S64, for the months of November and December. It had been paid 
on the 16th of December, 1863, by Major Hinkley, for the months of 
September and October, 1863. 

On the morning of the 7th of March, the 9th III., together with a 
detachment of 60 men of the 18th Mo., and two sections of a U. S. 
Battery, stationed at Athens, received marching orders, and moved at 
10 A. M., on the Lucas Ferry road. Arriving within two miles of the 
river at 2 P. M., they halted and fed, remaining until near dark, when 
they moved on to the river under cover of darkness. 

It was known that an attempt would be made to cross the Tennessee 
River that night or early the next morning, both at Lucas Ferry and 
Decatur. The flat-boats, canoes, &c., which the 9th 111. had for the 
past two or three weeks been collecting at Lucas Ferry, would now be 
brought into use. At Decatur, the boats intended for the construction 
of the pontoon bridge, would be used for crossing. Gen. Dodge was 
at Decatur superintending the crossing in person. Lieut. Col. Phillipe, 
[<3] 



82 A HISTORY OP 

of the 9tli 111., was in charge of the expedition at Lucas Ferry, whicn 
is three miles below Decatur. 

The Regiment went into bivouac, after dark, about one hundred 
yards from the river. The flat-boats and canoes had been moved up 
the river one mile, so as to have the advantage of the current. Severa 
pontoon boats had been floated down a stream running from the Railroad 
to a point within a mile or two of the Ferry. These had to be taken 
across on wagons to the river and up to the point from wlrich the boats 
were to start. This occupied a portion of the men during the greater 
part of the night. 

Details were made, of three men from each company, who could man 
a canoe, and four men from each company for boatmen. During the 
night there was a heavy rain, after which it cleared up, and the stars 
ahone brightly.' Before day, however, a very heavy fog settled over 
the water and surrounding country. This was favorable to our crossing, 
as a man couM not be seen, on the water, only at a very short distani^. 

About 2 A. M., the artillery was placed in position on the river bank. 
The forces were ordered into line. The details for canoe men and 
boatmen received their orders. The advance were to pass over in canoes. 
They were placed under the command of Lieut. Rollmann, and were 
instructed to proceed directly across, as rapidly as possible. When 
they struck the opposite shore, they were to abandon their canoes, and 
hold the positions until the boats would get over. 

The flat-boats and pontoons were placed uuder the command of Lieut. 
Oats. All were marched up the river to the boats, and at 4:30 A. M., 
the boats and canoes were loaded and started over. When the advance 
was within about 30 yards of the shore, the enemy fired a few shots, 
and retired rapidly in the direction of Courtland. The entire command 
crossed over in one and a half hours, and reported at Decatur. During^ 
the day and night following, the animals and teams were crossed over. 
Capt. Lowe, who had the crossing of the animals in charge, was attacked 
by a party of .Rebels, and one man was taken prisoner. 

The Regiment moved East, on the Courtland road, at 9:30 A. M., 
March 9th, and reached Courtland at 4 P. M., without meeting any 
body of the enemy. We bivouacked for the night on the Moulton road, 
three miles South of Courtland, 

On the morning of the 10th of March, we moved into Moulton. The 
enemy had left the place three hours before our arrival. They moved 
from Moulton at daylight, on the Russelville road. We captured, at 
Moulton, several prisoners, one flag, a quantity of ammunition, and hos- 
pital aad commissary stores. From Moulton, we moved towards De- 



^ THE NINTH REGIMENT. 8S 

catur, reacliing that place at sundown. There the Regiment was 
ordered into camp, to be quartered in houses in town. 

On the morning of the 11th of March, Adjutant Klock was ordered 
to Athens with a squad of men, to have the camp and garrison equip- 
age moved to Decatur, which is being done at present writing, March 
r2th, 1864. 

How bng we will remain in Decatur, or where we shall go nest, or 
how we shall be employed during the remaining four months of our 
service, are all matters in the future, and, in any department of life^ 
uncertain, but especially in military life. 

, There are some incidents of interest, which occurred durins: the 
period of this chapter. 

The first day after crossing the Tennessee River, while making for 
a place to camp for the night, where we learned there was forage for 
our animals, it began to get dark before we reached the point. The 
Col. drew up before a house near the road, to make some inquiry. A 
man came to the gate. Inquiry was made as to the distan(;e to the 
point we wished to reach. These inquiries were followed by others as 
to whether there were any soldiers in the neighborhood. The reply 
was that there were. 

Co^.—" Were they Yanks?" 
Citizen. — ''-Yqs." 

Col. — "How many was there of them?"' 

Citizen. — " Oh, there was a great many of them. At least 1 ,000." 
^(7o?:—" Was that all ? I can easily whip twice that number. But 
I gness, my friend, you must go along and show us the road to their 
cajuping ground." 

The poor man, thinking thkt we were Rebel soldiers, called to one 
of the boys to bring him out his horse until he would go with those 
men. But when the boy went to the stable to get the horse, it was not 
there. Our foraging parties had visited the stable, and relieved him 
of his horse. He went into the house to get his coat. There, I think, 
he began to realize that he was sold. Some of our boys had been in 
to get " corn bread," and the old lady, I suppose, had noticed the bhxe 
uniform, and reported us as "Yanks." When he came out he did not 
Beem near so willing to go along. But he went with us, and when we 
■got into camp, he waked up to the fact that he was a "prisoner of war." 
He had been in the Rebel army, and was detailed as a blacksmith, to. 
(Bhoe the horses through the country, that they might be ready for- 
government use. He was taken with us, as a prisoner., I saw him i\ 
week later, when on our march, still a prisoner. 



84 A HISTORY OP 

Another. On the next evening, an old negro man was with us when 
we bivouacked. He was a preacher, and quite an oracle among the 
darkies in that region of country. As we were gathered around our 
camp-fire, the old man was called up to be questioned by the Colonel. 
After giving all the information he could, he told us of his yisions and 
spiritual communications. Says he, "I sees all dis trouble seben 
years ago. I sees yon alls a comin down from the Norf. I sees dese 
two great armies, with dah uniforms dn, and all dis fitin and killin one 
anoder." On being asked how he saw all this, he replied, "I. sees it 
spiritually." He was asked if he saw which was going to whip, he 
said, "Lor, massa, yes; I sees de Norf a whippin." ift 

Still another. During the march from Corinth to Pulaski, Colonel 
Mersy of the 9th, commanding Brigade, being in camp, sleeping near 
his camp-fire, which was made of Chestnut rails, noted for their ^>o^)pm^ 
propensities when burning, the fire flew out and set his clothes or 
blankets on fire. The Head Quarters guard seeing it, went and awoke 
him, telling him that he was on fire. His reply was, "Adjutant! Ad. 
jutant!" But the Adjutant was sound asleep, and did not answer his 
call. The Col. being scarcely awake, was soon asleep again. The guard 
awoke him a second time, and told him he was on fire. "I tink dat 
no my business; you wake de Adjutant." The Col., so full of military 
life, and wishing everything to go through its proper military channel, 
felt, in his half.sleeping condition, that his Adjutant General must be 
honored with the permission of getting up and putting out the fire. 

Another one, in which our good Colonel is concerned. DiAing Ae 
march, just before going into camp, Rebel uniforms ani other accou- 
trements of war, were found at a house near the road. The soldiers 
made a pretty general rod up of the establishment. After we were in 
icamp, the woman of the house came to Col. Mersy, with her complaint. 
She represented, among other things, that she had been a widow for 
fifteen years. Soon Surgeon Gulick, of the 9th, who was with the Col., 
heard him call, ■" Doctor I Doctor!" The Doctor having arrived and 
awajiting orders, the Col. addressed him: "Now, my dear Surgeon, you 
does tell me if dis ■widow has been not married dese fifteen year." 

Another one, which illustrates something of the habits of Southern 
.women. They nearly all use tobacco, in some shape. Some of them 
in the various forms, of smoking, chewing, and dlj^ping. When the 
Regiment was on its march from Pulaski to Athens, the writer was 
with a squad of men, who were traveling along the Railroad examining 
ita condition. Being separated from the column, the boys becoming 
hungry, and desiring something to eat, rode up to a house where there 



THE NINTH REGIMENT. 85 

were three or four women standing at the door. One of them inquired 
if they could get something to eat. The corn bread was produced. He 
then asked for some butter, which was also produced. One of the girls, 
thinking, I suppose, that one favor deserved another, very smilingly 
addressed one of the soldiers, saying, "Could you give me a chew of 
tobacco?" " Oh, yes," says he, taking a large plug of tobacco from his 
pocket and handing it to her. She took a chew, and then reached it 
back, thanking him. "Oh," says he, "you may just keep that, I can 
get more." She thanked him very kindly. I suppose she thought she 
•was pretty well paid for her corn bread and butter. 

Another. Capt. Krebs, of Company D, with a squad of 25 men, 
was detailed to go with the telegraph repairer along the line between 
Euntsville and Decatur. At a station between those two points, a 
small town, there were two telegraph posts down, the line on each side ' 
being perfect for two or three miles. ■ The Captain and operator rode 
up to some citizens who were on the street, and politely asked them if 
they could not have those two posts set by the next day, stating that 
it would save them the trouble of bringing their team and men several 
miles, and would be a very great accommodation. One old man replied, 
"We can't do it, sir. You have taken all our negroes from us, and we 
have nobody to work for us." The Captain insisted that it was but a 
email job, and it would save him a great amount of trouble, if they 
would do it. The old "man persisted that they could not do it. The 
Captain then addressed them as follows: "Gentlemen, I will be here 
to-morrow evening, with fifty men to do that work. You will have 
supper provided for that number of men." Then turning to his com- 
mand, he gave the order, "Two right, march!" jind moved ofi'. Wlieu 
he had gone a mile or two, a runner came up and handed him a note, 
saying that the citizens would have those posts set by to-morrow morning. 
The "supper for fifty men "had been a more powerful argument than 
the Captain's pleadings. I suppose it led them to conclude, iihat if 
they had no darkies to do it, they would condescend to do it themselves. 

One more. Major Falconet, of the Rebel army, and who was sta- 
tioned at Decatur for some time, it is said, had come to the conclusion 
to take to himself a wife. He had gone to Florence to get married. 
"While on the floor, having the marriage ceremony performed, Lieut. 
Col. Phillips, with the 9th 111., made a dash into Florence. Some one 
came into the room and cried out, "The Yanks, are coming!" The 
brave Major left his fair companion, broke from the house, and over 
the garden fence, tearing down about twenty feet of it, dashed to his , 
boat and was off. I suppose he did notfiincy being captured just then. 



86 A HISTORY OF 

How liis partly constituted bride felt, at his rapid exit, and TvlietTier he 
has ever returned for the completion of the ceremony, " deponent 
saith not." 

Still another, showing something of the horrors of Slavery. During 
the recent scoxit to Courtland and Moulton, when in camp near the 
former place, the orders of Lieut. Col. Phillips were to be ready to 
move by daylight. The guard were instructed to wake them two hours 
before day. The orderlies were waked at the proper time. When 
Adjutant Klock had gotten up, he was informed by an orderly that 
there was a lady wishing to see the Colonel. The Colonel was called. 
In a half-sleeping condition, he told the Adjutant to see what she 
wished. The Adjutant went around to see her. He saw there a very 
decently, but plainly dressed lady. He asked her what she wished. 
He was perfectly amazed at her reply. She said her master was going 
to sell her, and she wished to know if she could not go with them. 
The Adjutant. replied, that he would speak to the Colonel about it, and 
that he thought they could make arrangements for her to go with us. 
The Colonel having dropped asleep in the meantime, the matter was 
referred to Major Kuhn. He told her at once that she could go along. 
She accordingly came into Decatur Avith ou.r Regiment. To Northern 
men, unaccustomed to the evils of the system of Slavery, such scenes 
are revolting. Here was a woman, so nearly white, that she was mis- 
taken for a white woman. She was, in all pfipbability, her master's 
daughter or sister. 



/^6 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

OF THE 

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 



FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 8ft 



BIOaKAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

I propose to add to this history of the Regiment, a Biographical 
Sketch of the present Field and Staff Officers. 

COL. AUGUST MERSY. 

Was born in Grermany. He entered the military service, in 1838, 
as Cadet, in Karlsrhue, Grand Duchy of Baden. He graduated in 1840^ 
as Lieutenant. He was promoted to the position of 1st Lieutenant, in 
1842. In 1844, he was assigned the position of Adjutant and staff 
officer. In 1847, he was appointed Regimental Adjutant. A European 
Regiment ''onsists of from 2,400 to 3,000 men. In this position he 
acted until 1849. At the outbreak of the Revolution, he consequently 
acted against that Revolution. In 1849, however, he joined the Revo- 
lutionary party, and was promoted to the position of Colonel. After 
joining the Revolutionary party, he acted for some time as Provisional 
Secretary of War. He soon, however, joined the army, and assumed 
command of the Second Brigade. Whether he had the rank of 
Greneral, or only acted as such in commanding a Brigade, the writer is 
unable to say. He went with his Brigade, through all the battles and 
skirmishes of the year 1849. He was under the necessity of crossing 
the Rhine for Switzerland, and concluded to emigrate to America. He 
arrived in the United States, in November, 1849. Went West, and 
settled in Bellville, St. Clair County, Illinois. He was for some time 
Clerk, and afterwards Cashier, of the "Bank of Bellville." He also 
acted as Notary Public. 

On the uprising of the rebellion, his war spirit was aroused. I think 
lie had for some time previous had command of a volunteer military 
company. He enlisted, with his company, in the "Three months'" 
service. He enlisted as Captain of Company A, 9th Regiment Illinois 
Infantry, on the 19th of April, 1861. He was elected Lieutenant 
Colonel, April 2Gth, 1861. This position he held during the "Three 
months'" service. He was mustered out of the service, at the end of 
the three months, on the 25th of July, 1861, and again immediately 
mustered in, for three years, as Lieutenant Colonel of the 9th Illinois 
Infantry. 

He was promoted to the position of Colonel, and received his com- 
mission as such, December 2d, 1861. As Colonel and commander of 
the Regiment, he passed through the terrible battles of Fort Douelson 



•90 FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 

and Sliiloh, and the "siege of Corinth." He was wounded twice at 
the battle of Shiloh ; but notwithsthanding his wounds, he persisted in 
keeping the command of his Regiment. During the battle of Shiloh, 
Col. McArthur, commanding our Brigade, was severely wounded, in 
the latter part of the action, and Col. Mersy assumed command of the 
Brigade. 

During the battle of Corinth, he assumed command of the Brigade, 
General Oglesby having been wounded. Since that time, he has had 
command of the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 16th Army Corps. During 
the Summer and Fall of 1863, he was stationed with his Brigade 
Head Quarters at Pocahontas, Tennessee. Since November 12th, 1863, 
his Brigade Head Quarters have been at Pulaski, Tennessee. 



LIEUT. COL. JESSE J. PHILLIPS. 

Was born in Montgomery County, Illinois, May 22d, 1837. He 
was appointed Route Agent on the Terre Haute, Alton and St. Louia 
Railroad, June 26th, 1856. Resigned in May, 1857. 

He read law with the Hon. James M. Davis, of Hillsboro, Illinois. 
He was admitted to the bar in the Spring of 1860, and opened an office 
in Hillsboro, the county-seat of Montgomery County, Illinois. He was 
prosecuting his practice when the first call was made for volunteers to 
serve for three months. 

In politics, he was a Breckcnridge Democrat. Had stumped it, for 
Breckenridge, in 1860. He had had a strong desire to engage in a 
military life. When the call was made, he at once went to work to 
raise a Company. Raised his Company, and was elected Captain, April 
17th, 1861. The Company was accepted and ordered to Springfield, 
Illinois, on the 23d of April, 1861. 

On the organization of the 9th Regiment Volunteer Infantry, for the 
three months' service, he was elected as Major of the Regiment. He 
acted in the capacity of Major in the Regiment during the three months' 
service. At the expiration of that service, he was mustered out, and 
immediately mustered in again for three years, unless sooner discharged, 
retaining still the rank of Major. 

He received a commission as Lieutenant Colonel in the 9th Regiment 
Illinois Infantry in December, 1861, which position he still occupies. 
He had charge of a detachment of the Regiment, which made a suc- 
cessful expedition from Paducah to Saratoga, Ky. This was the first 
fight in which our boys were engaged. He was with the Regiment as 
Lieutenant Colonel, through the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh. 



//jy 



FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 91 

At Sliiloh, he received a very severe wound from a schrapnel. He was 
wounded in the hand and leg. The wound in his hand was a very 
painful one. He was unfitted for the service by it, for several months. 
At the battle of Corinth, on the 3d and 4th of October, he had not yet 
been able to join his Regiment. He joined it soon afterward, although 
still suffering much from the pain caused by his wound. 

During the Fall of 1862 and Winter of 1863, he was much of the 
time in command of the Regiment, Col. Mersy being called to the 
command of the Brigade. In March, 1863, he made application to 
have the Regiment mounted for scouting purposes. The Regiment 
was mounted on the 20tli of March, 1863. During the year that the 
Regiment has been mounted, he has led it through 23 battles and 
skirmishes. 

He has frequently been placed in command of a Brigade of mounted 
forces, and in one or two instances, of a Division. He had command 
of two Brigades of Cavalry and Mounted Infantry, with which h^e made 
a raid in August, 1863, to Gi'enada, Mississippi. It was one of the 
most successful raids of the war. From 88,000,000 to 10,000,000 
worth of public property was destroyed; 2,000 negroes, and a large 
number of horses and mules were brought in. But little was said 
about it at the time. Many a less brilliant raid has brought forth 
a star. 

He was in command of the post at Athens, Alabama, for two or three 
months during the past Winter. He has lately been assigned to the 
command of all the mounted forces at Decatur, Alabama. There is a 
gi'eat amount of da^h and daring about the Colonel, and yet he always 
manages to get his boys out of any place, into which he leads them. 

* 

MAJOR JOHN H. KUHN. 

Was born in St. Gallon, Switzerland, May 26th, 1833. Emigrated 
to the United States, and landed in New York, in June, 1849. He 
was, by occupation, a laborer. Hired with a farmer near Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania, during the first summer. He removed to East Tennessee, 
where he spent three years, part of the time in a glass factory in Knox- 
ville, and part of the time boating on the Tennessee Ptiver. He moved 
to Alton, Illinois, in 1854. Was engaged for a time in the lumber 
business, and afterwards in a banking house. He had served for about 
gix years in the State Militia, and entered the service of the United 
States, on the call for volunteers for three months. He enlisted with 
his company of "Alton Jagers," as their Captain, April 19th, 1861, 
and was attached to the 9th Illinois Infantry. He re-enlisted at the 



92 



FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 



expiration of three months, for three years. Served, for sometime, as 
Provost Marshal of Paducah, Kentucky. He received his commission 
as Major of the 9th Illinois Infantry, December 2d, 1861. He was 
detailed during some months in the Summer and Fall of 1863, in 
charge of convalescent camp in Memphis, Tennessee. Rejoined the 
Ptegiment at Athens, Alabama, November 21st, 1863. At present 
writing, he has command of his Regiment, Lieut. Col. Phillips being 
assigned to the command of the mounted forces at Decatur, Alabama. 



SURGEON EMIL GULICK, M. D. 

Was born in the city of Schleswig, Dutchdom Schleswig, on the 29th 
of November, 1828. After finishing his school education, he com- 
menced the study of Chemistry in particular, but with it the other 
branches of the medical science. While quietly pursuing his studies, 
the sound of the drum rang through the land, calling all able-bodied 
citizens into the field to fight for the independence of the Dutchdoms 
from the Kingdom of Denmark. This call was in March, 1848. The 
Doctor was then in his. 20th year. Obeying his country's call, he en- 
listed to do battle for liberty. He enlisted as a private. He was 
afterwards engaged as an Assistant in the Medical Department. He 
was connected with the army in these capacities until 1851. He emi- 
grated to America in 1853. He re-commenced his Medical studies, and 
graduated in the St. Louis Medical College, in 1859. He commenced 
the practice of medicine during the same year, in Alton, Madison 
County, Illinois. When the Rebellion broke out, and there was a call 
for men to defend the government of his adoption, he oflfered himself 
for that purpose. He enlisted, in the three nwnths' service, as a private, 
in Company K, 9th Regiment Volunteer Infantry, on the 26th day of 
April, 1861. He re-enlisted, at the expiration of three months, for 
three years, July 26th, 1861, and was promoted to the position of 
Assistant Surgeon of the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. On the 28th 
of April, 1862, he was again promoted to the position of Surgeon. He 
has served in that position ever since. He has been almost constantly 
with his Regiment. He was on detached duty in the Hospital at Pa- 
ducah, Kentucky, during the months of September and October, 1863. 



ASSISTANT SURGEON W. D. CRAIG, M. D. 

Was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, March 27th, 1828. He 
■was raised on a farm. Was educated at Crawfordsville, Indiana. He 



FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 93 

moved to Illinois in 1849, and graduated at Rush Medical College,- 
Chicago, Illinois, in the Spring of 1852. From that time, up to the 
Summer of 1861, he was engaged in the practice of Medicine. Was 
living in Aledo, the county-seat of Mercer County, Illinois, and engaged 
in the duties jpf his profession, at the time of his enlisting in the service 
of his country. He recruited a large portion of a Company in Mercer 
County. Was mustered into the service of the United States, as 1st 
Lieutenant Company E, 9th Regiment Volunteer Infantry, August 
6th, 1861. Served in that capacity until May 12th, 1862. During 
the time he served as a line officer, he passed through the terrible 
struggles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh. He was slightly wounded at 
■Shiloh, in the left shoulder, by a spent ball. He was assigned to the 
Medical Department of the Regiment, in the capacity of Assistant Sur- 
geon, on the 12th of May, 1862. Continued with the Regiment in 
this capacity, until the last of December, 1863, when he was assigned 
to duty in Pulaski, Tennessee. During the past Winter, he has had 
charge of the U. S. General Hospital of the left wing, 16th Army 
Corpse, at Pulaski, Tennessee. He has under his charge there, about 
an average of two hundred patients, including a Small-Pox ward of 
from ten to fifteen patients. 



SECOND ASSISTANT SURGEON W. A. ALLEN, M. D. 

Was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, March 5th, 1830. Read Medi- 
cine with Dr. Haskall, Hillboro, Montgomery County, Illinois, 1850, 
1851 and 1852. He graduated at St. Louis Medical College, in 1856, 
and commenced the practice of Medicine in Greenville, Bond County, 
Illinois, during the same year. Was engaged in pursuing his practice 
at that place, until January, 1863. He received a commission as 2d 
Assistant Surgeon in the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and entered 
upon his duties as such, January 16th, 1863. He was detailed, for 
some time, to. take charge of the Medical Department of the Contra- 
bands at LaG range, and afterwards at Corinth. Has been constantly 
with his Regiment since the 1st of September, 1863, having been 
relieved from his duties in Corinth at that time! 



HENRY H. KLOCK, LIEUTENANT AND ADJUTANT. 

Was born in Manheim, Herkimer County, New York, November 
27th, 1835. Received a common school education. Removed to Illi- 
nois in 1854. Was engaged in teaching public school in Madison 



94 FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 

County, Illinois, wlien lie enlisted. Enlisted in the 9tli, Illinois Infan- 
try, Company F, and was mustered in as a private, July 28tli, 1861.. 
Was detailed as Clerk in the Adjutant's office, from. September 1861. 
Was commissioned as 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant January 31st, 1862^ 
to rank from October 3d, 1861. Has been with the Regiment through 
most of its battles. Was wounded at Shiloh and Corinth. Is still 
acting as Adjutant for the Regiment, and is devoted to the duties of 
his office. 



CHARLES A. SPATEE, REGIMENTAL QUARTERMASTER. 

Was born in the Dukedom of Saxony, Altenburg, in the year 1836. 
He was trained for the profession of Architect. He emigrated to the 
United States in 1855. After his arrival in this country, he was en- 
gaged principally in working upon Railroads and Saw Mills, previous 
to his entering the service of his adopted country. He enlisted in the 
"Three months' service," as a private in the 10th Regiment Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry. He re-enlisted, for three years, as a private in the 
9th Regiment Volunteer Infantry, Company K. He was afterwards 
promoted to the position of a Sergeant. In December, 1861, he was 
appointed Commissary Sergeant. He was commissioned as 1st Lieu- 
tenant and Re^gimental Quartermaster, October 4th, 1863. He continues 
to occupy this position at the present time. Lieutenant Spatee was not 
in the military service in the old country. 



MARION MORRISON, CHAPLAIN, 
Was born in Adams County, Ohio, June 2d, 1821. He was trained 
as a farmer, receiving a common school education. In the Spring of 
1841, he commenced the study of Latin, preparatory to the ministry. 
In October, 1842, he entered the Freshman class in Miami University, 
Oxford, Oliio, and graduated August, 1846. He studied Theology, at 
the A. R. Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Oxford, Ohio, and waa 
licensed to jjreachjby the A. R. Presbyterian Presbytery of Chillicother 
Ohio, in the Spring of 1849. He was ordained and installed Pastor 
of the A. R. Presbyterian Congregation of West Fork, Adams County, 
Ohio, in the Spring of 1850. Was elected Professor of Mathematics 
and Naturcil Science in " Monmouth College," June, 1856. Resigned 
the charge of his Congregation, and removed to Monmouth, Illinois, 
in the Summer of 1856, and entered upon his duties as Professor, 
September of the same year. He had the financial charge of "The- 



/-^f 



PIELI> AND STAFF OFFICERS, 95. 

Western United Presbyterian," published iu Monmouth for seyeral 
years. In June, 1861, he assumed the entire responsibility of that 
paper, financial and editorial, and soon after united it with "The 
Christian Instructor," published in Philadelphia. He continues an- 
Associate Editor to the above paper. In the Summer of 18G1, he re- 
signed his position as Professor in Monmouth College, and was engaged 
as Financial Agent of the College, until July 30th, 1863, when he wag 
commissioned as "Captain of Cavalry, and Chaplain of the 9tk 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry." Was mustered into the service, and 
entered upon the duties of Chaplain, September 4th, 1863. Has beem 
with his Regiment ever since, except during January, 1864, when he- 
was sent to Illinois on orders. Rejoined his Regiment February 1st, 1864 _ 



LB D 'J5 



